RICHARD WILLIAM McLEOD was born at 474 Drummond St. Carlton, Victoria, on February 17, 1898. The fourth child and second son of William and Emma McLeod was Cecelia's (Mrs Barry Skehan) elder brother.

ENLISTED;

Richard enlisted in the AIF on May 7, 1915, at Broadmeadows with his mother's consent, as attested to by her signature on his enlistment papers. These papers also state that he was aged 18 years and four months, whereas his mother said in later documents that he was only 17 when he was killed. He measured 5' 7 & 5/8”, weighed nine stone 8oz. (approximately 60 kg.), Chest measurements 33 & 1/2" - 35 & 3/4", fair hair and blue eyes. He was deemed medically fit for active service on March 5, 1915.

Note: Richard’s Birth Certificate shows he was born on February 17, 1898. This made his age 17 years, two months and twenty days when he joined and 18 years, six months and nine days when he was killed.

Rank: Private

Roll title: 21 Infantry Battalion (May 1915)

Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918

Date of embarkation: May 10 1915

Place of embarkation: Melbourne

The ship embarked on HMAT Ulysses A38

His service records show that he Embarked for Gallipoli on 29/8/15 and disembarked at Peninsula.

He was sick in hospitals at Alexandria, Cairo, Helouan, Giza, Shoubra and a hospital ship, suffering from Malaria on three occasions and Enteric (diarrhea) during November and December 1915, early January to early March 1916.

On May 30, 1916, he embarked on the "Tunisian" at Alexandria.

June 5, 1916. disembarked at Marseilles, France.

June 7, 1916, 2nd A. D. B. D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) marched in (from Egypt) to Etaples.

August 4, 1916, he re-joined his battalion (the 21st).

KILLED IN ACTION;

August 26, 1916, reported as Missing in Action. Court of enquiry later confirmed he was Killed in Action.

The Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files state that he was Killed In Action on 26-8-1916 and had been previously reported missing.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT;

Pte. J. Semple. 256. A. Coy. No. 2 A. D. B. D.

sic He belonged to VII. pl. B. Coy. I was with him in the section at Pozieres on August 26. the second time we were in.

He and I were in a shell hole well over toward the second German line; he had been wounded in the back and couldn't move. I had to leave him when I moved on. He may have been taken prisoner. If alive, he must be a prisoner; I am certain as to his identity with the man enquired for.

COMMEMORATION

Buried in an unknown grave, he is commemorated at Villers-Bretoneux Military Cemetery and Canberra's Australian National Memorial.