Leslie Charles Barrett

Service number: 4740

Rank: Private

Unit: 45th Battalion (Infantry)

Service: Australian Army

Date of death: 14 January 1918

Cause of death: Died of wounds

Cemetery or memorial details: Spoilbank Cemetery, Belgium

War Grave Register notes:

BARRETT, Pte. Leslie Charles, 4740. 45th Bn. Australian Inf. Died of wounds 14th January 1918. Age 19. Son of Charles and Annie Victoria Barrett, of Orchard Rd., Brookvale, Manly, New South Wales. Native of Cootamundra, New South Wales. II. C. 1.

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Leslie Charles Barrett enlisted on 28 December 1915, giving his age as 19 years and 11 months. Evidently he was younger, as his file includes a note from his father giving permission to enlist, and in a letter to military authorities after his death, his father stated that his brave boy was only 19 when he died on 19th January 1918.

Pte Barrett was born Cootamundra, and was a labourer. He was 5’ 3” tall, and it was stated that he had spent four years with the senior army cadets. He was transferred to the 45th Battalion on 20 May 1916. He was treated several times for venereal disease. He died of shell wounds.