Leslie James McConnochie

  General Notes:

Lived at 77 Victoria Street, Auburn, Vic in 1964

WW1 Embarkation Record
McConnochie, Leslie James
Service Number: 549
Rank/Calling: Private
Unit: 7 Infantry Battalion (October 1914)
Ship Name: HMAT Hororata
Ship Number: A20
Date of Embarkation: 19/10/1914
Place of Embarkation: Melbourne

Leslie James McConnochie enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18/8/1914. His next of kin was his father Martin Lawrence McConnochie, 12 Fleet Street, Fitzroy.
The Certificate of Medical Examination describes Leslie as: - 24 years and 3 months, height 5 feet 8 inches, weight - 11 stone, chest measurement- 38 inches, hair - fair. eyes - grey, hair - fair and religious denomination - Roman Catholic. His distinctive marks were: - 2 Vacs (Infancy).
Embarked to join M.D.F. Alexandria (Gallipoli Campaign)
On the 2/5/1915 Leslie was admitted to Bombay Presy General Hospital wounded. On the 5/6/1915 he was discharged to Convalescent Depot at Mustaphay, Alexandria.

The Proceedings of a Medical Board on an Invalid at Station - Ras-el-Tin Convalescent Home
Alexandria, Egypt dated August 16 1915 gives the facts: - Patient was admitted as a convalescent with 7 bullet wounds in various parts of the body, when he woke up he noticed that his knee was swollen and weak. In spite of all treatment knee joint has remained swollen and weak. Was kicked on that knee 7 years ago when playing football. Put his knee out 5 years ago in a foot race, was laid up and confined to the house for 3 or 4 months as he says. Knee quite well on enlisting.
Thinks he lost 9 or 10 pounds since he was wounded. Left knee joint contains excess of fluid. Slightly painful over the Patella. Not acutely tender at any one spot. Has resisted treatment for over one month. Heart and Lungs clear. Three bullet marks right shoulder, two on left forearm. Two bullet wounds right groin. One bullet wound right public region.
He had two operations to remove bullets.
The statement was signed by Max Juille. Capt - Medical Officer in Charge and H, Hume Turnbull. Major

Leslie returned to Australia per “Euripides” 1/10/1915

A Detailed Medical History of an Invalid dated the 26/10/1915 at the Melbourne Hospital states the following: -
Disease or Disability - Synovitis of Knee.
Date of Origin - July 5 1915.
Place of Origin of disability - Egypt.
Give concisely the essential facts of the history of the disability, noting entries on the Medical History Sheet bearing on the case - Strain on Active Service coupled with bullet wounds.
Give your opinion as to the causation of the Disability - Strain on Active Service.
If you consider it to have been caused by active service, climate, or ordinary military service, explain the specific conditions to which you attribute it - Active Service Strain.
What is his present condition - Some fluid in left knee joint. Both knees somewhat weak and also slight excess of fluid in right joint of knee.
If the disability is a wound or other injury, was it caused -
(a) In action - Yes
(b) On field service - Yes
(c) On duty- Yes
Was a Court of Inquiry held on the injury? -
If so - (a) When? - 17/8/1915
(b) Where? - Alexandria.
Was an operation performed? If so, what? - Yes, bullets removed.
Do you recommend him for -
(a) Discharge as permanently unfit? - Leave for 3 months.
Howard M James
Medical Officer in Charge of the Case.

Opinion of the Medical Board
The Board will describe the pathological condition present at time of examination by the Board - He has several healed bullet wounds about right shoulder and in right groin, He complains of weakness in both knees. In left arm there is some creaking in left shoulder joints and also in knee joints. There is no fluid in joints to speak of and movements are good.
(a) State whether the disability is the result of (1) active service, (11) climate, or (111) ordinary military service - Strain on active Service.
(b) If due to one of these causes, to what specific conditions do the Board attribute it? - Strain.
Is the disability permanent? - No.
If not permanent, what is its probable duration - At least 3 months.
To what extent is his capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market lessened at present? - Total for 3 months.
Do you recommend him for -
(a) Discharge as permanently unfit? - Yes
Any other Recommendations - The Board considers him permanently unfit. His incapacity should be nil after treatment. He should have treatments of knee joints for one month at Base Hospital.
Signatures: - Geo. Cuscaden President
Station Melbourne Hospital Francis. H. Langland. Major Members
Date 26/10/1915 T. H. Boyd. Major.
Detailed Medical History of an Invalid - Continuation Form
Station - Melbourne Hospital Date 25/1/1916
To what extent is his capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market lessened at present? - One quarter at present.
Do the Board recommend -
(a) Discharge as permanently unfit? - Yes.
General Recommendation: - He has 2 rather weak knees without excess of fluid. There is very little the matter with him and hen he returns to work his incapacity will probably become “nil” in a very short time.
Confirmed. For Pension and discharge,
Refer to State Medical War Committee.
Melbourne 2nd February 1916.
F. A. Maguire. Major for D.G.M.S.
Geo. Cuscaden. President
R.H. Russell. Major. Members District Standing
T.H. Boyd. Major. Medical Board.


Leslie signed a statement as follows: -
Australian Military Forces. 3rd Military District.
Headquarters.
Melbourne.
Refusal of Pension.
I, No. 549, Private L. J. McConnochie, 7th Battalion, hereby
refuse to apply for a pension as recommended by the District Standing
Medical Board, and request my discharge as soon as possible.
(Sgd). L. J. McConnochie.
28/2/1916.
Witness.
Harold Maughan. S.S.M.
28/2/1916.

Leslie was discharged on 13/3/1916.


Electoral Roll: -
1914 - 3 Bayswater Street, Kensington, Vic. - labourer
1919 - 49 Grey Street, East Melbourne, Vic. - Tram Driver.
1925, 1930, 1936 - Mowbray River, Qld, - Farmer.

Leslie married Ella Elizabeth ROBBINS b. 19/6/1891 in Queensland, daughter of John George ROBBINS and Ella Evelena WOOD in 1916, Vic (6514) She was living with him in Victoria and Queensland.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Labourer.

Leslie married Ella Elizabeth Robbins, daughter of John George Robbins and Ella Evelena Wood, in 1916 in Victoria Australia. (Ella Elizabeth Robbins was born on 19 Jun 1891 in Queensland Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Certificate: (6514).

Leslie next married Olive Alice Buck, daughter of Charles Edwin Buck and Leah Wilson. (Olive Alice Buck was born in 1901 in Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia, died on 3 Sep 1981 in Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria Australia and was buried on 7 Sep 1981 in Cremated at Springvale Crematorium, Victoria Australia Ashes Interred In Banksia - Position In Rose Garden, Garden B Bed 2, Position 17.)