KENT, Charles Edward
| Service Number: | 237 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 February 1916, An original of A Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Berwick, Victoria, Australia, 7 December 1879 |
| Home Town: | Narre Warren, Casey, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 16 January 1923, aged 43 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Narre Warren Memorial Gates |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 237, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, An original of A Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 237, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 237, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Charles Edward Kent enlisted during February 1916 into the 3rd Pioneer Battalion at the age of 35.
His older brother, 3336 Lce. Cpl. Alfred Ernest Kent 6th Battalion AIF, was killed in action in France, 5 May 1916, at the age of 41.
A slightly younger brother, 2nd Lt. Norman Archibald Kent, 14th Battalion AIF, was mortally wounded at Bullecourt and died on 12 April 1917, aged 36.
During February 1918, Charles Kent wrote to his Company Commander, “I desire, in compliance with my mothers expressed wish, to return to Australia if possible and as early as possible. In support of this application, I wish to state:
The health of my mother of late has been anything but satisfactory and by the last mail I received extremely bad news. My mother’s age is 68 and my father’s age is 72, there are now no children at home. If necessary, letter can be produced to verify my statement re the news.
Two of my brothers have been killed in action; 2nd Lt. N.A. Kent, 14th Batt., killed at Bullecourt, Cpl. A.E. Kent, 7th or 8th Batt., was killed at Fleur Baix. My total service in the A.I.F. is two years and I have been 15 months in France with my present unit. Trusting my application may be favourably considered.”
This request was passed up the chain of command and Charles was returned to Australia after the GOC AIF, Sir William Birdwood recommended it.
Charles died on his farm in January 1923 when hunting possums in a tree near his home. His rifle accidently discharged and he was killed.
The brothers were all the sons of Anthony Burdon Kent and Mary Kent of Narre Warren, Victoria.