HODGES, Leslie George (1892-1960)Leslie George Hodges was born on 2 April 1892, the son of Isaac George Hodges and Helen nee Miller.
He was working as a farm overseer when he enlisted (No 3560) in the AIF on 6 September 1915. He embarked for England on
HMAT A19 Afric on 5 January 1916, and was training at Pelham Downs, England, in the 6th Division, when he suffered pleurisy requiring hospitalisation in July. Hodges served in France with 58 Battalion from 22 May 1918 and he was wounded in action on 20 June and was evacuated to England on 2 July suffering a gunshot wound to the right knee. He was on furlough from 15 July until 29 July, before returning to France. The
Geelong Advertiser reported that his parents had received a letter from him in July 1917:
'Pte. Leslie Hodges is at Pelham Down, England, in the 6th Division. This is a newly formed division, made up principally from men who have been in hospital.' He returned to Australia, embarking on 28 May 1919 on
HMT Orontes.
Leslie Hodges died in 1960.
His brothers,
Henry Gordon Hodges (1886-1939), and
Robert Isaac Hodges (1895-1919), were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Geelong Advertiser 21 July 1917 p5; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 215 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).