OBITUARY

Lt-Col L. M. Mullen, Returned Soldiers President

LT-COL LESLIE MILTIADES MULLEN, governor of the Hobart Gaol, and Tasmanian president of the RSL, died at Hobart yesterday at the age of 60 years.

Born at Williamstown (V), he saw service with the 5th Victorian Contingent in the South African War for which he received the Queen's Medal with five clasps. When universal training was introduced he was appointed area officer at Burnie, and in 1914 was appointed transport, officer of the 12th Battalion AIF and left with the first contingent. In August, 1916 he took over temporary command of the 11th Battalion for three months, and in December of that year assumed command of the 9th Battalion with the rank of lieut colonel which command he held until the end of the war His service included the whole of the Gallipoli and France campaign. He was awarded the DSO and Croix de Guerre, and was twice mentioned in despatches.

On return he commanded the Í2th Battalion AMF for two years. When the war broke out Col Mullen was closely associated with recruiting committees, and when the Volunteer Defence Corps was formed was appointed Corps Commander for Tasmania, assuming full-time duty in March, 1942.

Col Mullen took an active part in the RSL, and in 1921 was elected president of the Hobart sub-branch. In the same year he was elected Stale president, a position he held until his death. He has represented Tasmania during that period at practically every meeting of the Federal executive of the league, and has been a delegate to many Federal congresses. In 1931 he was appointed a league delegate from Australia to the British Empire Service League biennial conference in Toronto. Canada, and was a delegate to a similar conference in Melbourne during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester. In 1939 he was again appointed an Australian delegate to the BESL congress, and arrived in London the day war was declared For outstanding service to ex-servicemen and women he received the CMG in 1934.

Col Mullen joined the Public Service in 1920 and after service in many departments was in 1928 appointed superintendent of the New Town Infirmary; From this position he was appointed governor of the Hobart Gaol. He was the RSL representative on the Tasmanian Council of the Red Cross Society, and was chairman of the Southern sub-division of the Australian Comforts Fund.

He was at one time chairman of the Executive Cricket Council of Tasmania and chairman of the Tasmanian Cricket Association for seven years. For many years he was a member of the investigation tribunal of the Tasmanian Football League, occupying the position of chairman for some time. He was a member of the Hobart Legacy Club and the Naval and Military Lodge.

He is survived by a wife and daughter (Mrs Drummond McLaren). His son, John, predeceased him.

Mr A. J McKenzie, president of the Launceston sub-branch of the RSL, said last night that every returned service- man would learn of the death of Lt Col Mullen with sorrow. As State president his leadership had been an inspiration His influence on the structure of the organisation would be evident for many years. His work had been unselfish and had been administered without fear or favour.

The quarterly meeting of the Launceston sub-branch was adjourned as a mark of respect to Col Mullen, and to Messrs C. Stanwix and F. Pinkard two members of the sub-branch, who, died this week

The Mercury 19 Mar 1943