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War Memorial
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KEKWICK Daintrey Ned MB BS

1905-1956

Daintrey Ned Kekwick was born on 3rd July 1905, in Perth, WA. He was the son of James Daintrey Kekwick and Ellenor, nee Hyde. He married Beryl Hinde in Western Australia on 18th September 1933. They were living in Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, SA, in May 1937. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1942.

Kekwick had joined the Reserve of Officers of the AAMC on 22nd October 1942. He enlisted in the AIF, at Wayville SA, on 1st February 1943 and commenced full-time duty at the rank of captain. He named his wife as his next of kin; a she was living at 33 Buxton Street, North Adelaide, SA. Kekwick was posted to 105 AMH. He attended the hygiene and sanitation course on 22nd May 1943 completing this on 25th June 1943.  Kekwick completed a fourteen-day locum tenens term for Dr Wall, in Maylands, SA, on 26th June 1943.  Posted then to 85 ACH on 16th July, he attended a Chemical Warfare Course, in August and was then posted to 2/1 AGH on 12th November 1943 in preparation for service in PNG. He left for Port Moresby on 30th December 1943 and was subsequently transferred to Finschhafen Base Area, PNG, on 19th February 1944.  He transferred as MO to the Madang Base Area on 11th May 1944. He was later appointed MO to 6th FdAmb on 11th July 1944 for six months when he was posted RMO to 14/32nd Inf Bn on 14th January 1945 and was returned to SA LoC, Australia. After six months in Australia he embarked from Sydney on the Montoro for Wewak, PNG on 20th June 1945 and to 3 Aust Base sub-area. He travelled from Lae to Rabaul, New Britain, and returned in the period October to December 1945. He was transferred to the Interservice Medical Wing, and then embarked for Sydney arriving on 19th December 1945. He was assigned to SA LoC and allowed 90 days of training before discharge. He undertook his training leave in WA, and his appointment was terminated on 8th August 1946, in Perth, WA.

After the war, he was living and in practice in Mosman Park, WA.  Kekwick was appointed surgeon lieutenant, District Naval Medical Officer, Fremantle, on 1st August 1947; he had previously been in the Naval volunteer reserve.  He was promoted to the rank of surgeon lieutenant-commander in March 1952; his appointment as district naval medical officer was terminated on 9th December 1953. Kekwick was involved in a court case in 1954 concerning the transfer of his house in Mosman, WA, which was one of several reported involvements with the legal system in his life. Daintrey Ned Kekwick died on 5th January 1956 in New Zealand.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD