Leslie John Primrose (14 May 1890 – 4 June 1918) was an Australian rules footballer who played with University in the Victorian Football League. He served in the Australian Flying Corps in World War I and took part in dogfights against the German Red Baron unit. He was killed in a plane crash in 1918.
| Les Primrose | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Primrose in November 1916 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Leslie John Primrose | ||
| Date of birth | 14 May 1890 | ||
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 4 June 1918 (aged 28) | ||
| Place of death | Somme, France | ||
| Original team(s) | Ballarat | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1912–13 | University | 16 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1913. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Family
editThe son of John William Primrose (1866–1919),[1] and Catherine Ellen Primrose (1867–1937),[2] née Dent, Leslie John Primrose was born in Ballarat, Victoria on 14 May 1890.
Football
editUniversity (VFL)
editCleared from Golden Point to University on 26 April 1912,[3] he played in 16 senior matches over two seasons (1912–1913).[4]
Military service
editEmployed as a schoolteacher, Primrose enlisted in the First AIF on 2 August 1915.
Death
editHe was killed in action when his plane crashed on its return flight to its base on 4 June 1918.[5]
See also
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Deaths: Primrose, The Ballarat Star, (Friday, 13 June 1919), p.4.
- ^ Deaths: Primrose, The Argus, (Thursday, 4 March 1937), p.1.
- ^ League Permits, The Argus, (Saturday 27 April 1912), p.17.
- ^ The University Team, The Leader, (Saturday, 4 May 1912), p.29.
- ^ Deaths (On Active Service): Primrose, The Age, (Saturday, 22 June 1918), p.5.
References
edit- Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
- Main, J. & Allen, D., "Primrose, Leslie", pp. 154–156 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen – The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002. ISBN 1-74095-010-0
- World War One Service Record: Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, National Archives of Australia.
- World War One Embarkation Roll: Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- World War One Nominal Roll: Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files: Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- Roll of Honour: Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, Australian War Memorial.
- The Late Lieutenant Primrose, The Hamilton Spectator, (Saturday, 31 August 1918), p.7.
External links
edit- Les Primrose's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Les Primrose at AustralianFootball.com
- Leslie John Primrose, at Western District Families.
- Photograph of Second Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, No 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, Collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- Group portrait of Officers of No 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, Collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- Original grave at Breuil-le-Sec Cemetery of Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, No 2 Squadron, photograph in the collection of the Australian War Memorial.
- Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.