| Regimental number | 325 |
| Place of birth | Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Other Names | Leonard Peter |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Plumber |
| Address | Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 11" |
| Weight | 160 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Christinia Erbacher, Perth Street, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Machine Gun Company 12, Reinforcement 4 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 24/17/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Australian Convalescent Depot |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal (Awarded) Lagnicourt 15 April 1917. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'At LAGNICOURT on 15th April 1917 for coolness and gallantry in action. When attacked in rear by a large body of Germans this gunner slewed his gun round and fired a belt at 15 paces compelling the enemy to take cover. By his devoted action he enabled seven of the section to escape and after disabling his gun, although surrounded by the enemy, escaped himself.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 16 August 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 2 October 1916, and marched into No 3 Camp, Parkhouse, 3 October 1916. Marched into Australian Machine Gun Training Depot, Grantham, 23 November 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 17 March 1917. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 25 April 1917; Corporal, 25 July 1917. Awarded Military Medal. Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 19 August 1917. On leave to England, 15 October 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 1 November 1917. Promoted Sergeant, 19 November 1917. Admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 22 December 1917; transferred same day to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station; to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 25 December 1917 (gonorrhoea); discharged to duty, 15 February 1918; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 56 days. Marched into Machine Gun Base Depot, Camiers, 17 February 1918. Admitted to 20th General Hospital, Camiers, 24 February 1918 (pyrexia, unknown origin); rejoined 2nd Machine Gun Company, in the field, 7 March 1918. Unit designation changed to 1st Machine Gun Bn, 1 April 1918. Wounded in action, 22 August 1918 (shrapnel wound, right thigh), admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred same day to 5th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to Ambulance Train No 36, 23 August 1918, and admitted same day to 2nd Canadian General Hospital; transferred to 1st Australian Convalescent Depot, Havre, 26 August 1918. Transferred to 1st Australian Convalescent Depot, Havre, as PT Instructor, 23 November 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 30 November 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 15 December 1918. Marched out to England, 15 May 1919; marched into No 2 Group, Sutton Veny, 16 May 1919; detached for duty with No 1 Convalescent Depot (Sports). By sworn declaration, 16 June 1919, stated assumed true name of Leonard Peter ERBACHER. Married Marjorie Louie ANDREWS, spinster, aged 20, Parish Church of Grantham (Church of England), 4 June 1919. Granted leave with pay and subs, 18 June-18 September 1919 (Non-Military Employment: market gardening, M. Dearnley, Mill Green, Pinchbeck, Spalding). Final report read: 'Sergeant Erbacher was engaged on general market garden work. He was a good worker, and made the very best use of his time. The experience gained here will undoubtedly be of great assistance to him in his future career if he takes up this occupation on his return to Australia.' Marched out to No 1 Australian Convalescent Depot, Sutton Veny, on expiration of leave, 18 September 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Liverpool on board HT 'Megantic', 9 January 1920; disembarked Sydney, 27 February 1920; discharged, Brisbane, 21 April 1920. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ERBACHER Leonard |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
