Kersley-T-E-Pte-3037


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).

 

War Service Commemorated

Flemington-Presbyterian-Church

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours