The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Blair
- First Name:
- Leslie Andrew
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7308
- Company:
- D' Company, No. 15 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 6.08.1940
- Discharged:
- 25.02.1946
- DOB:
- 21.10.1907
- Place of Birth:
- Cottesloe, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Roderick John Blair
- Mothers's Name:
- Elsie May Blair (nee Wooding)
- Religion:
- Methodist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmhand
- Singapore:
- Selerang Camp Changi.
- Force:
- 'A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan, Chumphon, Kachu Mountain Camp, Petchaburi
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Kendau 4.8km,m Thetkaw 14 km, Meiloe 75km, Aungganaung 75 km, Khonkan 55km (1.7.1943)
- POW#:
- 1525
- Return Details 1945:
- Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Highland Brigade.
General Description
Blair enlisted AIF 6 Aug 1940 later joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt. Meiklejohn.
He was wounded in action Lim Chu Kang Road at 0300 hours on 9 Feb 1942. Admitted to Field Ambulance with gun shot wound to his left leg. Transferred to the 2/10th Australian General Hospital on 17 Feb 1942. Discharged to unit on 22 Feb 1942.
Blair left with the first work party out of Singapore – 3,000 Australians sailed to south west. Burma coast in three parties – Blair was with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion.
He was recovered from Thailand at the end of the war, fortunate not to be included in the Japan parties, in particular the Rakuyo Maru which sank in South China Seas in 1944 with enormous loss of life.
Blair married about 1930 to Hazel Annie Kohler at Bunbury.
His parents Roderick John Blair and Elsie May Wooding married 1906 at Claremont.
In 1936 Electoral Roll Les and Hazel are residing Collie, with Les working as a miner. His parents are also living in Collie.
In 1937 the Blairs are residing Norseman, Les working as a miner.
In 1943 and when Blair enlisted his parents Roderick and Elsie resided Charles Street, West Perth, Les was residing Carr Street West Perth.
In 1954 Electoral Roll the Blairs lived in Mt Hawthorn, Les was working as an orderly. His mother Elsie May Blair resided next door.
In 1963 Les and Hazel resided Herdsman Parade, Wembley with Les working as a cleaner.
Blair died in 1970.
Blair’s wife and son donated his medals.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Petchaburi - Thailand
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Khonkan, 55Kilo Hospital 360k - Burma
- Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
- Kachau Mountain Camp - Thailand
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
