Leslie Carraill
Name: Leslie McNiel Carraill
Rank: Private
Service Number: 3780
Units Served: 32nd Battalion
Personal Details: Leslie McNiel Carraill was born in July 1896 in Tungkillo, South Australia. He was the son of James and Margaret Carraill.
Enlistment Details: He enlisted on the 31st of May 1916 and was posted to the 9th Reinforcement of the 32nd Battalion at the age of 19.
Details about his role in War: Leslie embarked from Adelaide on the HMAT Commonwealth on the 21st of September, 1916 and disembarked in Plymouth, England on the 14th of November 1916.
Leslie proceeded overseas to France on board the “Golden Eagle” on the 17th of December and joined the 32nd Battalion on the 23rd of December 1916, in Etaples. Leslie may have spent periods in the front line for the rest of the year.
On the 28th of January 1917, Leslie was admitted to hospital in the field with Influenza. He was then sent to England on board the “St. David” from Rouen, on the 6th of February 1917.
Leslie returned to France from Southampton on the 11 of October 1917 and rejoined the 32nd Battalion on the 1st of November 1917. The 32nd battalion has a relatively quiet time for the rest of the year.
On the 16th of February 1918, Leslie joined the 4th Army Gas School in the Field. He then rejoined the 32nd Battalion in the field on the 26th of February 1918.
The 32nd battalion had a fairly quiet time during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as the 5th Division was mostly kept in reserve. The Allies launched their own offensive with the Battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 32nd Battalion participated. It was then involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September. On the 3rd of September 1918, Leslie was killed in action on the day that the 32nd Battalion crossed the River Somme at Halle.
Age at Death: 22
Memorial Details: Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension
Interesting Material: Leslie received a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.
