Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Joseph David Kearney 

Joseph David Kearney was a soldier who participated in the First World War (WWI). He was born in Flemington, Victoria. Before he left he lived with his wife Ruth Kearney at 18 Thomas Street, Windsor in Victoria. He worked as a clerk and his religious occupation was as an Anglican (The Church of England). He had been vaccinated in both arms before going off overseas, although he still got the flu. His completion was blue eyes and fair hair. He was one metre and 26 centimetres in height or 5 foot 9”. He weighed 60.32 kg. He got vaccinated in both arms and his embarkation roll number was 13/128/1.

He enlisted for his service on the 7th December 1916, when he was almost twenty-three years old. He got given the service number 34212. His role during the war was a gunner, this was the equivalent to private. He was in the 10th Field Artillery Brigade (March 1917 Reinforcements) and the 39th Battalion (A.F.A). His unit embarked overseas on the A11 H.M.A.T Ascanius from Melbourne, Victoria on the 11th of May 1917 which disembarked to Plymouth, England. He arrived in England on the 21st of July 1917 and then after training in England his unit proceeded to travel to France and got there on the 4th of October 1917 as back up in the ‘Battle of Broodseinde Ridge’.

He overstayed leave 6.am - 6am 8/9/17 - 9/9/17. He took on strength on the 8th of November 1917, which allowed him to participate in battles. After this his unit left France and went back to England for more training on the 5th of October 1917. He did fight on the field and he transferred to the 4 (F.A.B) on the 11th of October 1917, then he transferred to 10th (F.A.B) on the 8th of November 1917 

In 1918 he transferred to a hospital in Tidworth because on 11th of December 1917, he was sick and he got there on 1st of April 1918. He had gotten promoted temporarily many times. He got promoted to corporal on the 15th of April 1918 but reverted on the 19th June 1918. On the same day (19/6/18) he got promoted back to corporal again. Finally on the 4th of September 1918 he reverted back to gunner permanently.

He sustained an injury to his right knee this caused his knee to be loose and he could not fight anymore because he was wounded, he was hospitalised for a while in France. On the 13th of December 1918, he was advised to go back to Australia as he was no use as a wounded and sick soldier that could not physically participate anymore. But on the 31st of January 1918 he caught the flu and could not fight so he went to hospital in England. He got to England on the 2nd of February 1918 and on the 22nd he went to Weymouth to be hospitalised in the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital. On the 29th of December 1918, he returned home to Australia and on the 21st of January 1919 he was discharged from the A.I.F at Melbourne because he was medically unfit to help out in the war.

He did not die in war but he returned home because of his knee injury. He received three medals; one British war medal, one victory medal and one star medal, for his participation and service to the country. He received one on the 8th of September 1917 and the 10th of September 1917.

The ANZAC spirit is the willingness to sacrifice your life for your friends, pride and country. Some qualities that are shown by possessing the ANZAC spirit are bravery, courage, mate-ship and dedication. After the news of the fallen Australians in the war, it was no compulsory to have to go to war. Despite this grief and melancholy, Australian men took it upon themselves to take action for their fallen Australians. Joseph demonstrated this by signing up for his country and his fellow, fallen Australians. He fought valiantly on the field, leading his team mates to victory and being beside them in battle. The ANZAC spirit is still around today, when disaster occurs such as flood or droughts Australian men and women will join together to help others during times of need and disaster.