Born in Allendale, Victoria and a Butcher by trade, Leslie Burke was 20 years and single when enlisted on the 29th of May 1915 in the Infantry Brigade 6, Field Ambulance 6, Reinforcement 1, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Corporal, Number 223. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A19 'Afric' on the 22nd of May 1915. On the 30th of August 1915 proceeded to join M.E.F. Gallipoli. Embarked for return to Australia per 'Kashmir' ex England on the 9th of March 1919 and disembarked at Melbourne on the 30th of April 1919. Discharged from the 3rd Military District A.I.F. Melbourne on the 21st of September 1919 – Medically unfit – Disability – Left Inguinal Hernia. Recommendations (Medals and Awards) MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) Recommendation date: 6th of February 1919. 'Under all conditions, whether favourable or adverse, this N.C.O. is invariably cheerful and anxious to do everything in his power for the greater comfort of the men. He is always at great pains to get the best use out of, and make the greatest variety from, the available ration issue, and all reports made from time to time by official cookhouse inspectors upon the state of the cookhouses under his control have been of the very best. In active operations and especially during the period 7th August, 1918, to 7th October, 1918, the difficulty of providing hot food for personnel and wounded in forward ambulance posts has been very great and the fact that the supply has never failed is entirely due to the energy and excellent management of this N.C.O.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 113 Date: 6th of October 1919. Tree No. 707