British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant J L Waldron, 50th Battalion, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipients details.

John Leslie Waldron was born in Brunswick Melbourne in 1893. Working as a fitter and driller in Melbourne, he enlisted in the AIF aged 21, on 7 September 1914. He was assigned the regimental number 504 and allotted to D Company of the 14 Battalion. Waldron embarked on 22 December 1914 on HMAT Ulysses, disembarking in Alexandria six weeks later. In Egypt further training was undertaken and then on 25 April 1915 the battalion took part in the landing and subsequent campaign at Gallipoli. For the next two months they undertook defensive operations as the beachhead was established before being committed to the August Offensive during which they were involved in attacks upon Hill 971 and Hill 60. Waldron served on Gallipoli for the duration of the campaign, apart from two weeks treatment on Lemnos for constipation in October.

Following Gallipoli, the battalion was transferred back to Egypt where the AIF underwent a period of reorganisation as decisions were made about their future employment. On 16 March 1916 Waldron was taken on strength with the 4th Pioneer Battalion. In April he was promoted to Temporary Corporal, and on 27 May again promoted to Sergeant. On 4 June he proceeded to France, disembarking at Marseilles to join his unit on the Western Front.

On 4 October 1916 he was awarded a Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. Late in 1917 he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the 50th Battalion. Shortly after he returned to England and undertook a four and a half month training course with No 5 Officer Cadet Battalion at Trinity College Cambridge. Returning to France on 7 January 1918, Waldron was promoted to Lieutenant on 14 May 1918. In the summer of 1918 he developed pneumonia and was evacuated to England where he spent several months in hospital. Lieutenant John Waldron married Agnes Tingey at Cambridge nine days after the Armistice. Post-war, Waldron undertook non-military employment as a motor mechanic in England before returning to Australia. On 7 November 1919, Waldron, his wife Agnes and their child embarked on HT Marathon to return to Australia. They disembarked at Melbourne on 26 December 1919. John Leslie Waldron died in 1951.