Les was an old soldier as can be gleamed from his Service Number; 1774. He enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in June 1948 at the age of 18 and was allocated to Artillery. His first posting was to the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion followed by attendance at Technical School. His initial employment was as a clerk however he later qualified as a Surveyor Artillery. In April 1949 he was posted to the staff of the Artillery School which became the School of Artillery on 1 June 1949. His next two appointments were to 1st Field Regiment at Middle head and then to the 131st Divisional Locating Battery in September 1956. He returned to the School of Artillery in October 1959 and was working as an Assistance Instructor Gunnery (AIG) on Field Wing.

Les taught on several survey courses and remained at the School for several years. Syd Farrow recalls Les as “a very personable and friendly Warrant Officer”.  In January 1967, Les visited 103rd Field Battery in Vietnam and returned home with the battery in May the same year. After nearly eight yeas at the School of Artillery, Les moved 5th Field Regiment as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). Les transferred to the Australian Regular Army Emergency Reserve in November 1970 and on paper, was posted to Northern Command Personnel Depot.  He retired from the Emergency Reserve in November 1976.

Les was awarded the Order of the British Empire – Member in the Military, Imperial New Year Honours List in 1970 for service to the Royal Australian Regiment. His other awards include the Vietnam Medal, Australian Defence Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Returned from Active Service Badge.  Les died on 22 August 2015 aged 85. He was the Loving Partner to Meg; Father and Father-In-Law to Bob and Liz, Julie, Alan and Julianne; Grandfather to Andrew, David, Joshua, Melanie and Michelle. His funeral service was held at the Metropolitan Funeral home Chapel, Aspley, on 31 August 2015.

Acknowledgements

• Information gained from papers and notes of the late Arthur Burke