LesIie Charles Martland was born in Ballarat and was a Labourer by trade when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, B Company on 26 February 1916 at the age of 23. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 27 May 1916. In November he joined the 39th Battalion in France but on Christmas Day 1916 he was wounded in action. He suffered a severe gunshot wound to his thigh and it was six months before he could rejoin his unit in May 1917. Just a month later he was wounded again, sustaining shell wounds to both legs. He was evacuated from the battle line, and while recovering, was posted on temporary duty at the Base Post Office. His recovery was set back by a bout of pneumonia and it was decided he should return to Australia. He returned home on the Suevic and disembarked at Melbourne on June 7th 1918 after being discharged as æmedically unfit -general debility'.
Tree No. 2172