Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Kenneth Henry "Ken" Gebhardt was born on 14 June 1920 in Prospect, South Australia, the son of Albert Henry Gebhardt and Maidie Ruby Keaye. He grew up in the Keswick–Prospect area, attending local schools and training as a meter maker apprentice before the outbreak of the Second World War.



Early Military Service

Ken's connection with the military began before Australia entered the war. On 29 November 1938, aged just 18, he enlisted in the Militia Forces and was posted to the 43rd/48th Infantry Battalion.



Enlistment in the Second Australian Imperial Force

With the escalation of global conflict, Ken volunteered for full-time service in the second Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He enlisted on 13 July 1940 at Woodside, South Australia, aged 20, and was assigned the service number SX8805. He was posted to the 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, a specialist unit providing sustained fire support to infantry formations.



Middle East and the Syrian Campaign

Ken embarked for overseas service in early 1941, travelling via Suez to the Middle East. He took part in the Syrian Campaign against Vichy French forces in June–July 1941. This campaign later made him eligible for the Africa Star campaign medal.



Service in the Pacific and Capture

In early 1942, his unit was redeployed to defend the Netherlands East Indies against the Japanese advance. During operations in Java, Ken was reported Missing in Action on 7 March 1942. Soon after, confirmation came that he was a Prisoner of War (POW) of the Japanese.



Prisoner of War Experience

Ken endured more than three years in Japanese captivity, held in camps in Java and later in Japan. Conditions were harsh, with minimal food, forced labour, and limited medical care. He suffered long-term health effects, including tropical leg ulcers, as a result of these conditions.



Liberation and Return to Australia

Ken was liberated from Japanese captivity at Ohama, Japan on 13 September 1945 and transported via Manila to Australia, arriving home in October 1945. His health required ongoing treatment, and he spent time in military hospitals before discharge.



Medical Discharge

On 10 December 1945, Ken was medically discharged from the AIF after 1,979 days of continuous full-time service, including 1,649 days overseas.



Medal Entitlements

For his service, Ken was entitled to the following awards:

1939–45 Star
Africa Star (for the Syrian Campaign)
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939–45
Australian Service Medal 1939–45
Although his medals were officially issued in 1957, the Africa Star required a separate claim, which was successfully lodged in 1995 by his widow, Brenda.



Marriage and Later Life

On 20 September 1947, Ken married Brenda Alita Honorine Prince at St Cuthbert's Anglican Church, Prospect.



Death and Burial

Ken passed away on 5 May 1989 at the Mary Potter Hospice, North Adelaide, aged 68. He was buried at Enfield Memorial Park, Second Crescent, Site 806.

Brenda was later interred with him after her passing in 2016.



Summary

Kenneth Henry Gebhardt's life tells the story of courage, endurance, and quiet determination. From pre-war militia service to the battlefields of Syria, the jungles of Java, and the harsh years as a prisoner of war, his journey reflects the resilience of his generation. His service record, long imprisonment, and eventual return home stand as a testament to sacrifice and survival. His memory endures in the hearts of those who knew him and in the medals that recognise his service to Australia.



Biography by Trevor Pyatt - 4/08/2025