LEONARD SHADBOLT – COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Leonard George Shadbolt (son of Frank and Ethel Shadbolt) grew up in a home called Corra Lynn, in  Helen Street, West Ulverstone. He enlisted in WWII on May 12 1941, initially serving in the Middle East, and subsequently in New Guinea.

On October 10 1943 Leonard was awarded the Military Medal. It was for action on 29/30 June at Nassau Bay in New Guinea, while US  forces were being landed on the beach. Many of the US amphibious craft had been wrecked in heavy seas and the Australians  were trying to repel the approaching Japanese.

THE LANDING AT NASSAU BAY – SOURCE; WIKIPEDIA

The following article  was published in The Mercury on October 20 1943. It’s remarkable that a young private  stepped up and acted with  such initiative during what was clearly a chaotic situation.

There are two serious wounds recorded on Leonard’s service file. A gunshot wound to his side in August 1943 and a compound fracture of his thigh as a result of another gunshot wound in October of the same year. Like so many others fighting in New Guinea, he also contracted malaria. Leonard was discharged as medically unfit in 1944 due to the terrible injury to his thigh.

UNDER FIRE OF A DIFFERENT  KIND

Tasmanians will never forget the ‘Black Tuesday’  bushfires of 1967. Leonard  Shadbolt was one of many hundreds affected.

GRIM STATISTICS OF THE 1967 TASMANIAN FIRES

The Shadbolt family had been living in Strickland Avenue, South Hobart. In the following photo taken after the fires the absolute devastation of the area is  evident; a battlefield of nature’s making. Leonard’s home and all its contents were destroyed.

PHOTO TAKEN FROM STRICKLAND AVENUE

It’s odd that Leonard did not try to have his medals replaced, but I guess  he just didn’t think it was possible  Eleven years later it was his son Rodney who applied to the army;

Not surprisingly, the army did not issue replacement medals to anyone except the recipient, particularly something as significant as the Military Medal.  Leonard had to write to the army authorities himself.

Special application was made to London  regarding the Military Medal, the cost to be borne by the Australian government. That  birthday surprise Rodney planned for his father  failed, but at least his thoughtfulness  led to the  decorations being replaced.

Leonard Shadbolt came from a family of tough pioneers; convict stock who suffered a great deal, but who made the most of their lives in Australia and in New Zealand. Both  countries offered them redemption, and the opportunity to thrive. Leonard was a credit to his ancestors, and certainly lived up to the ANZAC spirit.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE IN THE HOBART GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

For the full story of the landing at Nassau Bay, CLICK HERE.