KENNY, William Alfred
| Service Numbers: | 3155, 3155A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 60th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, 6 October 1892 |
| Home Town: | Wangaratta, Wangaratta, Victoria |
| Schooling: | South Wangaratta State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Dredge Builder's Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 19 July 1916, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Eldorado War Memorial, South Wangaratta School and District Roll of Honour WW1, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Wangaratta South War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 31 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3155, Depot Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3155, 21st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3155, 21st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wiltshire, Melbourne | |
| 26 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 60th Infantry Battalion, Tel-el-Kebir | |
| 18 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3155, 60th Infantry Battalion, Embarked from Alexandria aboard 'Kinfauns Castle' to join B. E. F., arriving in Marseilles 29-06-1916. | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3155A, 60th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3155A awm_unit: 60th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-19 |
Help us honour William Alfred Kenny's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Karen Standen
SOUTH WANGARATTA FAREWELLS SOLDIERS. A large and enthusiastic gathering took place on Monday night in the school, which was artistically decorated with flowers and flags for the occasion. The function was opened with the National Anthem. The chairman, Mr. F. W. Powell, said they were fully cognisant of the reasons for which they had assembled - to bid farewell to Privates R. Hughes, J. Adams, H. Foster, W. Kenny, L. Taylor and J. McCormick, who were leaving shortly for the front, and to extend a hearty welcome to Privates A. H. Duke, R. Richardson, W. Reeves, T. Howell, and W. Brown, returned soldiers, who were on the platform. The chairman said he was proud to preside on such an occasion, as some of the boys had been former pupils. Four or five others were still at the front. In ages to come, Australians will read, with pride, the daring and heroic deeds of such men as their returned soldiers, and those going were determined to follow in their footsteps... from the Wangaratta Chronicle 30 October 1915 (nla.gov.au).
SOUTH WANGARATTA. Pte. W. Kenny, writing from Egypt states that he is attached to a machine-gun section, which he thinks is preferable. For a time he was in a camp miles from any village. The heat, flies, and sandstorms were very trying. At present his quarters are a little pleasing. He met several Wangaratta boys, and they were all well. Wangaratta Chronicle 22 July 1916 (nla.gov.au).
SOUTH WANGARATTA. On Wednesday Mr. Jas. Kenny, who is employed at the North Melbourne Station, was officially informed by the Defence Department that his son, Pte. W. A. Kenny, previously reported missing, had, they regret to state, been killed on July 19th. Mr Kenny wrote to Mr. Powell, asking him, as an esteemed friend, to convey the sad informatlon to Mrs Kenny; a request that was complied with. Pte. Kenny's death will be heard of with deep regret by a large number of friends, as he was a popular young man. Only the day previous to his death he sent a trench card that he was well. He would have attained his 24th year had he lived to October 6th. Wangaratta Chronicle 16 September 1916 (nla.gov.au).
The details of William's death only became known, when Corporal W. E. Ollis (60th Battalion) stated from his hospital bed in April 1917; "Kenny, ... was killed at Fromelles on July 19th before we got over the top. There were two Lewis guns in the same bay - about 10 yds long - Kenny was in the other team - not in mine. A shell burst in his team and killed four of whom Kenny was one, and wounded one." AWM (s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com)
William's name appears on the Wangaratta War Memorial, the South Wangaratta State School Honour Board and in 2015 he was included on the new South Wangaratta War Memorial dedicated, 'In proud memory of the servicemen of this Parish who gave their lives during WW1 1914 - 1918'.
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