LOCK, Leo Oscar

Leo was one of several children of John and Mary Lock who lived at Tingha NSW.  He was a twenty four year old Miner when he enlisted at Armidale in July 1916 and became a member of the 33rd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement. They trained at Armidale and Rutherford NSW before sailing from Australia on SS Port Napier in November 1916.  After arriving in England at the end of January 1917 another three months of training took place before Leo was sent to France in April.  He was in the front line by the end of that month.

Private Leo Lock was reported as missing in action on 12 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendale. This was later confirmed as his date of death.  He has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. It was six months before his parents received confirmation of his death.

Leo’s name is recorded on the Tingha War Memorial and the Stannifer and Old Mill Honour Board. At Inverell his name is inscribed on the Town’s Honor Roll and Cenotaph.  In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell.

Leo's brother Francis also served during the War. At the age of 31 he joined the 9th Battalion in October 1914, sailing from  Melbourne, Australia on HMAT A32 Themistocles in December.  Francis returned home in December 1918.

Image: Charles G Rolls and Leo Oscar Lock, taken August 1916. Provided by family