Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Leslie William Killoh was born on 3 October 1893 at Tuturau, Southland, the second of the four sons of John George and Isabella Whyte (née Bennet) Killoh. John George Killoh from Aberdeen, Scotland, married Timaru-born Isabella in 1890 at Timaru. Leslie was a clerk, Presbyterian when he enlisted for service. Residing at Waimate, he named his mother as next-of-kin was his mother – Mrs J. G. Killoh, 126 Willis Street West, Ashburton. He left Waimate by the first express on Wednesday, 25 August 1915, for the Eight Reinforcements.

Corporal L. W. Killoh embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Battalion of the 8th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 13 November 1915. He was mentioned in despatches on 9 April 1917 and was awarded the Military Medal, for bravery in the Field, in 1918. “The final list (issued by the British War Office on June 1) containing names mentioned by Sir Douglas Haig as deserving special mention includes Corporal Leslie W. Killoh, son of Mr J. G. Killoh, of Wills Street, Ashburton.” [Ashburton Guardian. 4 August 1917.]

“N.Z. ENTRENCHING BATTALIONS REWARDED. (From Malcolm Ross, War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field.) June 20. Walking down the dusty road that winds between the two villages, you come to a narrow way leading straight up the hill between trees and hedgerows. This narrow country road takes you out on to a breezy upland behind a big farm steading. The farm is, like almost all the farms in this district, surrounded by trees. From behind the trees come the dull reports of bursting bombs and the sound of military music. The bombs are not being thrown in battle. The band is there purely for ceremonial purposes. On three sides of a square over 2000 men of a New Zealand Entrenching Group are drawn up awaiting the appearance of the Divisional General, who is to pin ribbons on the breasts of some of the heroes of Meteren. . . . . An O.C. Battalion standing on the General’s left begins to call the names, and one after another, the men come forward. . . . . "Private . . . . . ," he says, adding the brief recital of what has gained for this man the Military Medal. . . . Private . . . . . steps forward, salutes smartly, and has the ribbon pinned on his tunic, while the General, with a few words and a pleasant smile, congratulates him, and hopes that he will be spared to earn yet other medals. And so the ceremony goes on, beginning always with the same words, “At Meteren,” etc. The others are: — . . . . Some of the medals won in that fighting at Meteren and Ypres, alas! Could not be presented. Those to whom they had been awarded had in several instances died of wounds. Others who still lived were unable to be present because of their wounds. . . . . Here are the brief records: -— . . . . . Sergeant Leslie William Killoh (gassed). He exhibited great resource, which, with his cool and courageous manner, greatly assisted in inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, and in frustrating an intended attack. . . . . .” [Press. 23 August 1918.]

He was discharged on 21 July 1919, having served in Egypt and Western Europe, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The name of L. W. Killoh appeared regularly on the Waimate Daily Advertiser Roll of Honour under the sub-title of Answered the Call.

Leslie married Vera Milne Petrie in 1927. He died on 20 June 1981 at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, his residence being Selwyn Village, Auckland. He was 87 years old. Vera had died in 1962. Both Vera and Leslie were cremated at Karori Crematorium, Wellington.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museumm Cenotaph Database [06 July 2022]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [07 July 2022]; Karori cremation records (Wellington City Council) [12 July 2022]; Waimate Daily Advertiser, 21 August 1915, 30 May 1918, Ashburton Guardian, 4 August 1917, Press, 23 August 1918 (Papers Past) [18 September 2019; 12 & 15 July 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file
• Other military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, Teresa Scott, South Canterbury Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.