People Australia

Austin Lenon, n.d.

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

AUSTIN LENNON was born at Townsville on 29th April, 1891. He is the son of the Hon. William Lennon, formerly Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Lieutenant-Governor of Queensland. His education was received at the Central State School, Townsville, and he entered the Bank’s service at Brisbane on 13th August, 1908. In June, 1910, he was transferred to Warwick, Queensland, where in July, 1911, he was promoted to ledger-keeper; in July, 1912, he was transferred to Toowoomba; and in November, 1914, to Roma, as teller.

Austin Lennon enlisted on 23rd June, 1915, and embarked with reinforcements for the 25th Battalion, A.I.F., as second lieutenant. He served for three years in France and Belgium, and was promoted to lieutenant and later to captain.

For bravery in the field at Pozieres he was awarded the Military Cross, and later on gained a bar to the Cross. The “Times,” of London, in referring to his conduct, in its issue of 27th September, 1916, stated that: —

"He brought his trench mortars u p to the captured trenches under very difficult circumstances, organized the defence of 40 yards of trench, and by skilful use of his mortars, assisted to repulse the enemy counter attack ”