Leslie Freeman (SN 315) born at Maryborough, was a 24 year old labourer when he enlisted at Ballarat on August 17th 1914. With the 8th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Benalla on October 19th, first to Egypt and then to Gallipoli. In June 1915 he was evacuated from Gallipoli suffering from lumbago. He returned little more than a week later but influenza then caused another evacuation in October. He was transferred to the Australian Medical Corps in March 1916. Early 1917 saw him hospitalised for an extended period after which his service was divided between the 8th Battalion and the 2nd Field Ambulance. Influenza forced him to hospital in early 1918 then later in the year he was granted ‘special 1914 leave’. He returned to Australia aboard the Port Sydney, disembarked at Melbourne on December 2nd 1918 and was discharged on January 31st 1919.

His brother John also served in the AIF and is honoured with a tree in the Avenue.