McCartin, Leo Aloysius (Lieutenant)

Collection relating to the service of Lieutenant Leo Aloysius McCartin, 22 Battalion, AIF. Collection consists of a notebook containing rough notes on training, a CMF parade schedule from 1912, and an application form, partially completed, for employment with the Australian Flying Corps.

Biographical note: Lieutenant Leo Aloysius McCartin, a draper from Geelong, Victoria, was born in August 1894 and enlisted as a private in the AIF on 13 March 1915 with the number 517. He served with 22 Battalion at Gallipoli and then on the Western Front. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 14 August 1916 and on 9 April 1918 participated in an action at Lavieville for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He was killed by a sniper on 18 August 1918 after the action at Herleville. The official history states that McCartin, in charge of a company of 22 Bn, was wounded in the head when running back to the support company's headquarters to report the situation. Instructed to retire from the fighting McCartin instead headed back to his men and was killed on the way. He was buried close to where he fell and his name is recorded on the memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. Other biographical details relating to him include: born Geelong; educated at St. Mary's Private School, Geelong; was a first class athlete, swimmer, cricketer and footballer; served in the citizen forces; joined the AIF as a private on 15 March 1915; served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France; received his commission at Pozieres, and was wounded the same day; won the Military Cross in April 1918.