| Regimental number | 175 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
| School | State School, Newport, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Newport, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19.3 |
| Height | 5' 7.25" |
| Weight | 132 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, F King, 394 Melbourne Road, Newport, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served in Naval Reserve, Williamstown; previously rejected for enlistment on account of varicose veins. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | No 1 Australian General Hospital |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board A62 Wandilla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 13th Field Ambulance |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | 'Endeavoured to enlist 4 times. Wounded at Gallipoli Nov 1915. Wounded in France in Neck (unreported). Known as most persistent in duty, and the man who never "ducked" at a shell.' (details from father) |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Place of burial | St Pierre Cemetery (Plot XIII, Row A, Grave No 2), Amiens, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 183 |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'During the operations 26th September, 1917, this man set a splendid example of coolness and courage to his fellow bearers while carrying back wounded from R.A.P. in HANEBECK VALLEY, east of YPRES, through heavy shell fire.' Second entry reads: 'For bravery and devotion to duty as a stretcher bearer during the operations near ZONNEBEKE area, east of YPRES on 13th October, 1917, especially under the following circumstances: On the morning of date mentioned whilst the enemy was heavily shelling the line of evacuation from the Cordial Factory ZONNEBEKE to St. Joseph's Institute, Private KING unaided, very courageously, on three separate occasions carried to shelter, men who had been wounded between these positions. He showed the greatest courage and endurance by these actions and set a fine example to his fellow stretcher bearers.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Cousins: 171A Pte Wallace Bruce DUNCAN, 2nd Field Ambulance, killed in action, 17 April 1918; 5094 Corporal Valdemar PETERSEN MM, 4th Divisional Signal Company, returned to Australia, 30 January 1918. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, KING Leslie William
Red Cross File 1520201B |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
