The following story was sent to me by Kerry Satchwell. She is not related to the Leane family, but lives in a house that used to belong to them in Swanbourne, Perth WA. While researching the house’s history she came across their amazing story. The Leane family would, in the words of official war historian Charles Bean, become
“the most famous family of soldiers in Australian history”.
Alice Leane was the matriarch of the family. Her five sons, six grandsons and six nephews all saw combat in World War 1. Two of the brothers had connections to the Goldfields of WA.
Left to right: standing: Major Benjamin Bennett Leane (1889-1917), 48th Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Lionel Leane MC (1878-1962), 11th Battalion and 373 Warrant Officer 1 Ernest Albert Leane (1869-?), 27th Battalion.
Seated (left): Major Edwin Thomas Leane (1867-1928), AIF Ordnance Service, and
Seated (right): Major Allan William Leane (1872-1917), 28th Battalion.
Capt Raymond Lionel Leane – Sunday Times 5 September 1915, page 6
Allan William and Raymond Lionel Leane both lived for periods of time in the Goldfields and were active members of the Goldfields Infantry Regiment.
Both Allan and Raymond moved to Western Australia for their work in the late 1800s and in 1908, they became joint managers of the Kalgoorlie and Boulder branch of the New Economic Ltd. After two years in Kalgoorlie, Allan returned to Perth and started his own business A W Leane & Co and Raymond stayed in the Goldfields. Raymond purchased the Boulder branch of what had formerly been J H Pellew and Co at 38 Burt Street, Boulder
Allan Leane – Photo – Leane Family
Daily News 23 March 1954, page 8
Ex-WA Man Honoured
ADELAIDE – Former West Australian Sir Raymond Leane (76) was the first war veteran to be presented to the Queen today. This was the eighth time that Sir Raymond — one of the most decorated men in Australia — had been presented to a member of the Royal Family. He was first presented in 1902 when he met the then Duke of York (later King George V) at a garden party at Perth Government House. He fought at Gallipoli and France during World War I. During World War II he formed and commanded the Voluntary Defence Corps. Sir Raymond joined the Citizens’ army in 1898 and retired as a brigadier-general in 1926. Before World War I he lived in Mt. Lawley and Boulder. After the war, he became Commissioner “of Police in Adelaide. He retired from the police force in 1944 and was knighted in 1945.
Benjamin Leane – Photo Leane family
The service o9f the Leane family is well documented and the following is an excellent book should you wish to know more:
The Men Behind the Myth by Carol Rosenhain
Moya Sharp
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