Springvale US Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria, during WW2

SPRINGVALE US CEMETERY,
SPRINGVALE, VIC
DURING WW2

The US Army established a US Military Cemetery in a part of the Springvale Cemetery in Victoria, Australia during WW2. Amongst the American bodies, was Melbourne's infamous "Brownout Strangler", Eddie Leonski. He had been initially buried 3 times in two segregated sites in Springvale Cemetery. In May 1945, his remains were recovered and he was buried in the USAF Cemetery at Ipswich.

Bob Seers lived in Dandenong during WW2 and can remember the Rowville Army Camp, the Rowville POW Camp and going to Springvale Cemetery by electric train. The spur line to the station at the Cemetery ran off from Springvale Station. A little part of the line still exist even today. His Mother would take us to visit the grave of our Sister who died as a infant. Bob remembers that the Americans were all buried there in neat rows with white crosses. The flag pole with the eagle on top is still there which marks the site of those graves. They were all later removed. Bob remembers his Mother pointing out Eddie Leonski's grave and saying to him that he was buried away from all the others and the opposite way around. Bob's Mother said that they buried him that way because he was a murderer who brought disgrace on his Country.

Photo:- Bruce Buchan 1 Sep 2012