Bath, Leslie

No.1907A – Private Leslie John Bath –28^th Battalion AIF

Leslie John Bath was born in Broken Hill NSW in 1895 to Thomas and Elizabeth Bath. He had several siblings, born across Queensland, NSW and WA. The family moved to the Western Australian Goldfields and Leslie went to Boulder Central School and later became a shop assistant.

The family moved from the Goldfields to Fremantle where they took up residence in Arundel Street. Leslie also served for two years in the 86^th Militia Infantry in WA.

Enlisting at the same time as his brothers Henry & William, Leslie was assigned to the 5^th reinforcements to the 11^th Battalion, so he didn’t join his brothers in the 12^th Battalion. Leslie was given a medical examination and was found to be 5 feet 6 inches in height; weight of 123 lbs; chest measurement of 33-35 inches; sallow complexion; hazel eyes and dark hair. His religious denomination was Methodist.

Les & the 5^th Reinforcements embarked from Fremantle on the H.M.A.T. “Hororata” on the 26^th April 1915. They did not spend long in Egypt but were sent straight to Anzac to reinforce the 11^th Battalion. On the 16^th June 1915, Leslie joined C Company of the 11^th in the vicinity of Tasmania Post. Les survived the fight for Leane's Trench in early August 1915, though was wounded in the leg by a Turkish shell on the 13^th August. He was evacuated from Anzac to Mudros, then on to Malta and finally England where he was admitted to 5^th London General Hospital of St Thomas. He was in England the same time as his brother Henry so it is hoped they managed to meet up at some stage.

Leslie never made it back to Gallipoli, by the time he had recovered the peninsula was being evacuated. He was therefore sent back to Egypt to rejoin the 11^th Battalion. However, either in England or Egypt, Les had contracted Venereal Disease and was therefore admitted to the 1^st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Abbassia. He would spend the next several months recovering in Egypt and therefore missed the 11^th Battalion’s departure from Egypt.

On the 15^th September 1916 Leslie finally left Egypt and proceeded to the 7^th Training Battalion on Salisbury Plains England, and then on to the 2^nd Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples France. Leslie never rejoined the 11^th Battalion but was instead transferred to the 28^th Battalion whom he joined on the 30^th October 1916. Leslie survived the 28^th’s horrific fight at Flers in early November 1916, but fell foul of military discipline in December in that he was charged for not cleaning his ammunition while in the line. He was given 96 hours of Field Punishment No.2 by the CO of the 28^th Battalion. In February 1917 he was sent to hospital sick and had two weeks away before he rejoined his unit. It was around this time that the 5^th Bath brother came to France. No.6229 Walter Bath joined the 11^th Battalion in France in early 1917, though it is unknown if the brothers we able to meet as Walter would be captured by the Germans at Lagnicourt in April 1917.

Leslie rejoined the 28^th Battalion in early March and in April was transferred to 2^nd Division Headquarters. He was perhaps fortunate as he missed the 28^th’s action at Bullecourt; he rejoined the 28^th on the 12^th May. Les incurred another punishment in July when he was charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he persisted in gambling after being warned for the O.C.’s Parade. He was given 28 days Field punishment.

On the 20^th September 1917 Les was granted leave to England; this was the same day that the 28^th were involved at Third Ypres, so he was perhaps fortunate to miss this battle. He returned from leave on the 3^rd October 1917. The 28^th Battalion was still involved at Ypres after Les’s return. On the 29^th October 1917 Les was badly gassed and was admitted to the 3^rd Field Ambulance and then the 10^th Casualty Clearing Station. Les made it back to the 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne but unfortunately his condition did not improve and he died on the 6^th November 1917. He was buried at Bologne Eastern Cemetery Plot VIII.I.105.

His mother, living at ‘Dromore’ Davies Road North Fremantle received her son’s personal effects as well as his medals. She chose for his epitaph;

‘Greater love hath no man He gave his life for his country’

Walter Bath who was captured at Lagnicourt, returned home to Western Australia in 1919.