Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold George Augustus Kershaw fought bravely during World War I . Born on August 7, 1897, in Murrurundi, New South Wales(1).

Harold Kershaw’s attended Warrawee Public School on a scholarship(2), demonstrating his academic potential from a young age. He later attended Sydney Technical High School between 1911-1914, where his name is honored on the WW1 Roll of Honour.(3)

Before enlisting in the military, Kershaw worked as a nurseryman.  He lived on Billiard Street in Wahroonga, New South Wales, with his parents, George W. Kershaw and Matilda Newton Jermain. (4) 

On January 11, 1915, he enlisted as a soldier in the Australian Infantry Force, bearing service number 1853. He sailed from Sydney on the HMAT Shropshire (A9) on March 17, 1915, serving as a Private in the 13th Infantry Battalion.(5)

As a member of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, an Australian Army infantry support unit, Kershaw participated in significant battles and campaigns such as at Gallipoli where he took part in an advance round towards Suvla bay and also supported the attack on hill 60 and after 5 weeks in gallipoli (6), Kershaw was evacuated to a general hospital with dysentery; he did not return. (Dysentery was a frequent occurrence among soldiers because of the unhygienic and hard circumstances in the trenches.) Kershaw also went on campaigns in Egypt and France. His contribution to these fights was vital since the infantry forces relied heavily on the help of the machine gun battalion. (7)

Kershaw was promoted twice in his service first to a Corporal on the 4th of April 1916 then on the 22nd of July 1916 where he was appointed as a Lance Sergeant. (8)

Throughout his service, Kershaw's bravery and determination were apparent. During his military venture, one of Kershaw's more notable deeds was on October 22, 1917. Kershaw installed phones and laid wires between Company Headquarters and the barrage guns  while also repairing broken wire and working under intense shell fire in order to maintain communication cables. When a ration party had nearly all become casualties, he volunteered and guided out a fresh party and rendered aid to those wounded. Afterwards he salvaged all the rations and guided the ration carriers safely to their respective guns. During the whole operation Kershaw was also described as very energetic and showed great cheerfulness which lead to him being awarded a Military Medal.(9) 

Despite his successes, Kershaw had difficulties, such as mental health problems, which were typical of World War I veterans. On the 24th of May 1918 Kershaw was described as having no confidence, not being able to concentrate and depression and he was diagnosed with shellshock gained at Ypres. (11). He was admitted to Middlesex War Hospotial suffering from Mental Trouble in July 1918.

Following his return from the war, Kershaw kept up his community service and shooting pursuits. Despite the war's psychological costs, Kershaw continued to be committed to his work and his interests and in 1928 Kershaw won the King’s Prize in the Melbourne Commonwealth team matches while also breaking the record at the time getting a score of 339 x 356 points.(12)

In a newspaper where Kershaw gave his views on the value of the Australian Rifle Club Kershaw stated "There are many men like myself, who do not wish to join a military unit, but who are prepared, mostly at their own expense, to develop and maintain their efficiency as riflemen", demonstrating his commitment to shooting but also showing his patriotism as Kershaw did not want to join the military but did so anyway as a form of fighting for the country.(13)

Kershaw died in Concord, New South Wales, Australia, 21 June 1968, aged 70 years.(15)

Endnotes

1.Unknown, LSGT Harold George Augustus (?) KERSHAW  MM, Google drive provided, Page 1

2.Unknown, Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Wednesday 7 July 1909, page 2

3. Unknown, KERSHAW, Harold George, Virtual war memorial Australia, personal details

4.Unknown LSGT Harold George Augustus (?) KERSHAW  MM, google drive provided, Page 17

5.Unknown, NAA: B2455, KERSHAW HAROLD GEORGE AUGUSTUS, record search SearchNretrieve

6.Ibid

7.Ibid

8.Ibid

9. Unknown, KERSHAW, Harold George, Virtual war memorial Australia, Service History

10.Unknown, NAA: B2455, KERSHAW HAROLD GEORGE AUGUSTUS, record search SearchNretrieve

11.Ibid

12.Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), Thursday 30 December 1937, page 23

13.Ibid

14.Unknown, LSGT Harold George Augustus (?) KERSHAW  MM, Google drive provided, Page 1

15.Unknown, KERSHAW, Harold George, Virtual war memorial Australia, personal details

Bibliography

https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/191992

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=164079

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=7367744&T=PDF

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FTMoCvyANmtHqZI6DCiUznHNwIyQPCfT

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JxF8Dd9WUDfbmn7Mkl_iaZBqL3fkZMzQ/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs