NZ9790 Able Seaman Leslie Keith SUBRITZKY   

Leslie Keith Subritzky was born on 30 July 1925 at Waihopo.  He was the son of Major John and May Freda Subritzky (nee Evans).  Prior to his enlistment he was employed as a grocery assistant at Wallace Supplies in Kaitaia.  He had previously served as a member of the local Home Guard unit and held the rank of Corporal.

He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy on 31 March 1944 as an Ordinary Seaman at HMNZS Tamaki and was 18 years old at the time of his enlistment.  He was single and his next of kin was his father Major John Subritzky of the North Auckland Regiment.  He was of slight build, stood 5 foot 8 tall, had hazel coloured eyes and brown hair.  He carried out his basic training at HMNZS Tamaki from 31 May 1944 until 24 August 1944.  He was then posted to HMNZS Philomel and from there was sent to England on 30 October 1944 and being posted to HMS Drake (a shore establishment) where he carried out further seamanship training and awaited posting aboard a seagoing ship.

He was drafted aboard HMS Nimrod and served aboard patrol boats from 9 February 1945 to 27 April 1945 in the Indian Ocean, during which time he suffered from malaria and was admitted to St Peters Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital in Ceylon.  He served aboard HMS Osprey from 28 April 1945 to 20 May 1945.  He was then drafted aboard HMS Mayina on 21 May 1945 and was promoted to Able Seaman on the 31st of that month.  He returned to New Zealand on 15 October 1945 and was drafted to HMNZS Philomel where he served until 7 April 1947 where he was discharged ‘At the end of his term of service’

Leslie Keith Subritzky was awarded the following medals: British War Medal 1939-45, New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45