Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
Private Thomas Ernest Kersley. Source: Ancestry,
Howes Family Tree, phowes166.
Kersley T E Pte 3037 Thomas Ernest 14 Inf Bn 24 Printer Single Pres
Address: Kensington, Epsom Rd, 30
Next of Kin: Kersley, T J, father, 30 Epsom Rd, Kensington
Enlisted: 12 Jul 1915
Embarked: A17 Port Lincoln 16 Oct 1915
Although embarking with an Infantry Battalion, Kersley spent most of the war as a gunner with a Field Artillery Battalion. In Egypt the battalions recently evacuated from Gallipoli were reorganised and reinforced; Kersley was transferred from 11 Inf Battalion to 46 Inf Battalion on 3 March 1916, and from there to the 12 Field Artillery Brigade (48th Battery) on 17 March 1916. He then transferred to the 24 FAB on 15 June 1916, then the 11 FAB on 25 January 1917. He stayed with this Brigade until he returned to Australia.
Flemington-Kensington Church News, September 1917 Gunner T E Kersley, 48th Battery, Field Artillery, embarked on 18th October, 1915. He saw some active service in Egypt, and went to France on 1st June, 1916. There his battery has been in the midst of great things such as Pozieres, Bapaume, and the toughest of all - Bullecourt. At the latter place the Australian Field Artillery were the first on conquered territory. Like most all our boys who have been in the thick of it, he has had some narrow escapes, but hitherto has got off with a few scratches. We sincerely hope that he will be equally fortunate in the future and come home to us scathless (sic). |
Flemington-Presbyterian-Church
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours