Leonard Buxton Laurie

Leonard Buxton Laurie of Salisbury, South Australia was born in Adelaide on 8 October 1893.

He was educated at Queen’s School, St Peter's College and the University of Adelaide.

While at the University he played for both the Adelaide University Football Club (1914-1915) and Cricket Club (1914-1916 B Grade).

He enlisted in Adelaide on 2 October 1916 and a week later was posted to A Company, 2nd Depot Battalion where after three days he was made a provisional corporal. Although his only previous military experience was 12 months in the cadets at the School he was a fast learner and during training at Mitcham Camp, passed a Trench Warfare Course and a Musketry Course. 

Originally he joined the 19th reinforcements for the 27th Battalion but this was changed and he was reallotted to the 23rd quota for the 10th Battalion.  The 23rd quota sailed from Adelaide aboard HMAT Berrima on 16 December upon arrival in England Laurie was reverted to Private.

He was admitted to Parkhouse Military Hospital with Mumps on 5 April 1917 and after recovery proceeded to France on 14 May and was taken on the strength of the battalion a fortnight later.

On 1 October 1917 he was appointed to the position of second lieutenant and was severely wounded in action during a raid on Celtic Wood on 9 October.

Second Lieutenant Laurie was treated at 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station for gunshot wounds to the buttocks, left leg, and was invalided to England on 22 October.

On 22 January 1918, Second Lieutenant Laurie was promoted to Lieutenant, and after recovering from his wounds was discharged fit for full duties at the end of March. He rejoined the 10th Battalion in France on 11 April but was wounded in action on 27 April near Meteren and died later that night; he was 23 years of age.