Seymour, Leslie James (Able Seaman, b.1918 - d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of S/5276 Able Seaman Leslie James Seymour, HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Canberra, Royal Australian Navy, Australia and at sea, 1941-1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains two folders of material relating to Able Seaman Leslie James Seymour.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of seven letters from Able Seaman Seymour to his mother, Ms Emily Seymour (later, Mrs Smith), dated between c mid-1941 and 12 July 1942. These letters cover the period of Able Seaman Seymour’s service on HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Canberra. In his letters, Able Seaman Seymour writes about receiving letters from home, training, being drafted to HMAS Canberra, a trip to New Zealand, having Christmas on board the ship, the entry of Japan into the war, having a sweetheart in Sydney, seeing his extended family, the weather, and sending gifts. Able Seaman Seymour also responds to news from home.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of one telegram, seven letters of condolence, and one Certificate of Death relating to Able Seaman Seymour. The telegram, dated 17 August 1942, informs Ms Seymour that her son was believed to have been killed as a result of enemy action. The letters of condolence, dated between 20 August 1942 and c April 1943 were written to Ms Seymour (later, Mrs Smith) by family, friends, the clergy, the Royal Australian Naval Relief Fund Welfare Committee, and representatives of King George VI. The Certificate of Death, issued 9 August 1942, certifies that Able Seymour was officially presumed to have died on 9 August 1942.

Able Seaman Leslie James Seymour enlisted to the Royal Australian Navy on 3 March 1941. After a period of training on HMAS Cerberus, he commenced his service on HMAS Canberra in September 1941. Able Seaman Seymour died on 9 August 1942, when HMAS Canberra was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island. He is commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.