Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Eugene Samuel Kitto was born in the country town of Baroota, South Australia, and his life journey would eventually see him take on a significant role during World War I. As a young man of 24 years, he enlisted on August 26, 1916, into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), ready to serve his country. Eugene was a member of the Church of England and had strong religious beliefs. At the time of his embarkation for war at 23 years 10 months, his height was 5 feet 5 inches, weight 128 Lbs, chest measurement 33.35 inches, with grey eyes and light brown hair. He embarked on his journey with Regimental Number 650, leaving behind his beloved wife, Mrs. R. Kitto, and their young child at their home on 9 Eastry Street, Norwood, South Australia.

Before the war, Eugene had worked as a skilled carpenter, using his craftsmanship and gaining experience in working with tools and materials. Eugene had a solid foundation in using tools and materials because of his experience with woodworking. The understanding of tools and his experience with woodwork would have applied to mechanical labour on planes. The planes were made from wood, so Eugene used his experiences with measurement, precision, and attention to detail skills, all of which are important when working with aircraft. This is most likely why he wasn’t in a battalion but instead served as a Sergeant Mechanic in the Australian Flying Corps, No 2 & 3 Squadrons, A Flight. 

 Eugene had a family of three at home. Himself, his spouse Mrs. R. Kitto, and their young child. They shared a small house at 9 Eastry Street in Norwood, South Australia, where they all lived. He has two brothers who have also fought in the war. Brothers: Driver Ernest Orchard KITTO and Gunner Charles Albert KITTO of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade both returned to Australia on May 11, 1919, together. Eugene could have chosen to serve in the same Brigade as his two brothers Charles and Driver but instead, he chose to become a mechanic in the flying corps.

As a young man of 24 years, he enlisted on August 26, 1916, into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), ready to serve his country. He enlisted to serve as a mechanic to the 2nd and 3rd Royal Australian Flying Corps, A flight squadron. Mechanics in the 2nd and 3rd Royal Australian Flying Corps, A Flight Squadrons during World War I had an important role in making sure the aircraft for ready for flight and had no problems with the body. Eugene's responsibilities were servicing, maintaining, and repairing aircraft, including their engines and machine guns. He would also have to put together and take apart aircraft, which was needed while moving aircraft to their next locations. He also had the important job of doing last-minute repairs to keep aircraft functioning and keeping records of maintenance.

Eugene was embarked on the 25th of October 1916 in Melbourne, Victoria. His embarkment ship was the HMAT A38 Ulysses. It was used to transport the Australian Flying Corps, No. 2 and 3 Squadron, A Flight from Melbourne to Plymouth, England which was the first stop for Eugene in the war.

Through Eugene’s time fighting in the war, he was posted to two squadrons, the 2nd and 3rd Royal Australian Flying Corps, A Flight Squadrons. On the 25th of June 1918, he was named a Corporal Mechanic, but because of Eugene’s commitment to his unit less than a month later, he was promoted to be Sargent Mechanic for the No. 2 & 3 squadrons.

No. 2 & 3 Squadron formed the first Australian flying unit to arrive on the Western Front, it was originally formed in September 1916 at Point Cook in Victoria. Eugene was transported to Europe on HMAT Ulysses, and landed in England on 28 December 1916 and was sent for training to South Carlton, Lincolnshire. Training on repairing AVRO 504 and BE-2e aircraft lasted eight months and in July 1917 the squadron was mobilised for France. On 24 August 1917 three flights (each of six RE-8 aircraft) left South Molton for Lympne in Kent. Delayed by bad weather, the squadron finally arrived at their appointed aerodrome in France (Savy) on 10 September 1917. The squadron was subsequently employed in support of the ground forces, operating over the Canadian and XIII Corps' front near Arras.

During World War I, Eugene, found himself serving on the Western Front, in France and Belgium. The Royal Australian Flying Corps squadrons were deployed across different areas of conflict in France and Belgium. Eugene was trusted with maintenance and repairs on the squadron's aircraft while stationed in the trenches and battlegrounds of the Western Front. He had the responsibility of making sure that these aircraft were in top shape and prepared to fly in support of Allied forces. In order to fix the damage that was experienced during the battles, Eugene constantly worked to maintain aircraft engines and machine guns operating properly as well as covering any holes made by bullets.

Fortunately, enough Eugene was not injured or contracted illnesses during the war. Being a mechanic meant Eugene wasn’t serving in the trenches where all the diseases were but instead was able to stay away from battles and left repair the aircraft. His medical records were left empty with the only entry used was “no admissions”.

After his dedicated service during World War I, Eugene's journey took another significant turn as he disembarked at Plympton on December 23, 1916. He was able to restart his old life with his beloved wife, Mrs. R. Kitto, and their young child at their home on 9 Eastry Street, Norwood, South Australia. Eugene later passed away on 4th of October 1949 due to unknown circumstances. He was buried at AIF Cemetery, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia

From Ken Stewart, edited by Brigadier Tim Hanna

Eugene Samuel Kitto, born at Port Germein on the 6th October 1892, was a carpenter of Shipster's Road, Kensington Park when he married on 16th June 1915 in St Matthew's Church, Kensington. He married Ruby Myrtle Watts. the 21-year-old daughter of Herbert Hayden Watts and Elizabeth Trott of Stuart Street, Adelaide.  She was born on the 18th July 1893 at Port Pirie and was in Domestic Service at the time of her marriage.  One of the witnesses to the marriage was C.E. Walter, a master tailor, of Rose Park, Adelaide.  He was Sam's uncle ‑ Ed Walter, the husband of Alice Orchard, his mother's younger sister. His tailor shop was in Rundle Street.

Sam was a married carpenter of Eastry Street in Norwood when he enlisted as Private #650 in Adelaide on the 26th August 1916 into the 2nd Flying Corps of the AIF, passing a test to become an air mechanic. He was then transferred for training to Melbourne on “Ulysses” on the 25th October 1916. He was sent overseas to France on 19th August 1917 to serve in the 69th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as a Corporal. He was promoted to Sergeant Mechanic in the 3rd Squadron AFC on 1st July 1918 until he returned to Australia in June 1919 and was discharged on the 22nd July 1919.

Sam died in Adelaide on 6th October 1949 and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery. Ruby died on 8 Mar 1938 at Knightsbridge in Adelaide and is buried in North Road Cemetery.

Of Sam and Ruby's two sons, Clement Albert Kitto was born 23rd May 1916 in Norwood, SA and was surrounded in Adelaide, South Australia by children and grandchildren, and William Jack (John) Kitto was born 12th April 192 also in Norwood and had his own family ties in Melbourne, Victoria.

Clem was put through his studies by his father and used the International Correspondence School to train as an architectural draftsman. He enlisted in the army and became a Warrant Officer in the permanent army. He was promoted to Captain as an architect and served at Woomera. He was undertaking courses during his early career and in the army from the age of 20 into his mid 30’s, until his early retirement. He was self employed making wooden toys until being sent into the Occupational Forces in Japan. After this he was employed in the Department of Works as a housing field inspector rising to the position of a Senior Office Inspector.

Clem first married Doreen May Ayles on 16th September 1944 in Marryatville, SA and they had two children, Phillip and Ann and 4 grandchildren. After Doreen died of decline aged 43 years at Hazelwood Park, Northfield SA on the 10th September 1965, Clem remarried on 22nd October 1965 to Betty Dawn Thompson born 26th August 1926. Clem died in Bucklands Park, Adelaide on 15th November 2007  aged 91 years and Betty died on 14th March 2011 aged 84 years. Both are buried together in Enfield Memorial Park in Adelaide, SA.

John was taken out of school at the age of 12 to work in his father’s cricket bat factory. He ran away from this to work at an iron foundry. He returned home and worked in a tailor’s shop. At the age of 18, John enlisted in the RAAF at Adelaide around 1939 and served as #27290 for 6 years in the Air Force. His record papers have not yet been released. Studies during his service time enabled him to pass the board exam at a university standard to enroll at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology after the war. John married on 20th January 1945 in Kensington to Dorothy Estelle Althea Brown, born 5th January 1923 and they had three children, Lynn and twins Raeline and Maxine and 5 grandchildren. After his studies were completed there was no employment so John went back to carpentry, self-employed. He then worked in construction contracts for 13 years building high-rise flats which included drawing the plans. Later he was a foreman for the South Australian Gas Company. William Jack (John) died on the 18th March 2008 in Melbourne and Dorothy died at the Woodend Community Aged Care in Victoria on 16th June 2012 (obit) aged 89 years.