McGREGOR, Leslie and Thomas

Leslie and Thomas were sons of Thomas and Mary McGregor and lived at Old Mill, Tingha NSW.

Leslie, a nineteen-year-old Miner, enlisted at Armidale in January 1916. His parents gave their permission for him to serve overseas. He joined the 33rd Battalion, D Company and departed Australia for England on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916. After three months training in England, he was appointed Lance Corporal and sent to France in November. The following month he was wounded in action and invalided back to England for treatment at Graylingwell War Hospital. He returned to France in July 1917, only to be sent back to England two months later to return to Australia where he was medically discharged in August 1918. After arriving home, a ‘Welcome Home’ function was organised for him at Stannifer.

Thomas was twenty-two when he enlisted at Armidale in October 1916. He joined the 4th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A29 Suevic in November. By June 1917 he was in France where he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery at Broodseinde Ridge near Ypres in October. Six months later he was wounded in action and returned to Australia where he was medically discharged in March 1919.

Leslie and Thomas have their names recorded on the Stannifer and Old Mill Roll of Honour.