As casualties lists from the Gallipoli Campaign became known in Australia from early May 1915, it became a practice to publish a photograph of individuals. These photographs were supplied by the families of the person on the casualty list. There were few photographs published in relation to the number of casualties listed. To give the extent of the human tragedy that unfolded, the photographs were extracted from the various newspapers and placed in this album. Each photograph is clearly identified to an individual and brief details are given as a short biography.
For a comprehensive listing of photographs in the album, see:
Gallipoli Album, May 1915, Contents
Finding service information.
Navigating the National Archives Service File
Should any further details be sought, see Australian Light Horse Studies Centre
Lest We Forget
Launceston
Tasmania
5-5-17
To The Honorable
The Officer I/C
Minister of Defense
Melbourne
Dear Sir
My son Pioneer Sergeant Les. Jno. Birkett No 676 12th Battaliion AIF left Hobart per SS Geelong 1914. Was at the landing at Gallipoli and twice wounded there, was at The Camp at Tel el Keber Egypt. Then in some of the big battles in France or Belgium was on H Quarters Staff for some time and was killed at Bullecourt.
I write to ask you if it is possible to have a photo of the place where he and others are buried or his grave alone. He was my only son one of Australia's best. Also to whom will his Medals, Bars, etc if any be sent as an old soldier I would like to know so they can be honoured.
His Mother does not know I am writing this but it would be some consolation to know that he was decently buried. Thanking you in anticipation.Yours faithfully
Jno. F. Birkett
93 Canning St
376 Sergeant Leslie John BIRKETT, a 21 year old Letter carrier from 10 Warwick Street, Hobart, Tasmania. He enlisted on 20 August 1914 and was allotted to the 12th Battalion, C Company which embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 20 October 1914. BIRKETT subsequently was Wounded in Action, 25 April 1915, and again was Wounded in Action, 18 October 1915. During the Great War, BIRKETT was Killed in Action, 5 May 1917, at Bullecourt, France.