First Headstone RC Naval Section, headstone not burial.
Eugene Leonard was the third burial in the Catholic Naval Section. He was born on 05 May 1879 at Aughadown, County Cork, Ireland. Eugene joined the RN on 4 Aug 1894 at when he was 15 years old, as a Boy Seaman, however his service period of 12 years would not start until he was 18, on 10 May 1897. On joining his description was recorded as 5ft 2 with fair hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion and at 18 he was described as 5ft 5 with brown eyes. He was sent to the training ship HMS Impregnable at Devonport, then to HMS Ganges at Mylor, Cornwall and HMS Boscawen a Training depot at Portland. He served on various other ships and was promoted to Ordinary Seaman on 10 May 1897 while serving on HMS Barfleur and promoted to Able seaman on 01 Apr 1989 while on the same ship. He served on a further five ships & depots until promoted to Leading Seaman 01 Nov 1900 while serving on HMS Melampus and another 3 ships and depots until posted to HMS Katoomba 12 Jun 1901.
Eugene, like Alfred Leary, was to die at St Joseph’s Hospital Auburn from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) on 26 Mar 1902.
Sources
UK National Archives ADM188-229-180320
The Australia Station, John Bach, NSW University Press, 1986
Australian Colonial Navies, Colin Jones, Australian War memorial 1986
