KERNAN, Edward Joseph
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 July 1915, Melbourne |
| Last Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Pasoe Vale, Victoria, Australia, 11 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Pascoe Vale , Victoria |
| Schooling: | St Columba's College, Essendon and Christian Brothers College, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Belgium, 20 September 1917, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery XXIII. B. 8. |
| Memorials: | Melbourne Town Hall Honour Roll, Pascoe Vale War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Melbourne | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Feb 1917: | Involvement 5th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Feb 1917: | Embarked 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Melbourne | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Involvement Second Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 5 Battalion awm_rank: Second Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1917-09-20 | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Battalion, Menin Road, Shell wound abdomen |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Michael Silver
The Melbourne Advocate reported on 13 October 1917 that news had been received of the death of Second Lieutenant Edward Joseph Kernan, 5th Battalion, who died on September 20th from wounds received in France, at 10th Casualty Clearing Station.
Second Lieutenant Kernan was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kernan, 'Merai,' Pascoe Vale. He was educated in his youth by the Sisters of Charity, Essendon, and finished his education at the Christian Brothers' College, North Melbourne. When he enlisted, he was employed in the electric supply branch at the Town Hall, Melbourne.
He sailed for the Front on February 19th, 1917, in the H.M.A.T. Ballarat, and when that vessel was torpedoed on March 25th Second Lieutenant Kernan displayed great bravery by giving his seat in one of the last lifeboats to a private and remained with others on the sinking vessel till rescued by a destroyer. Special mention of his gallantry was made in the London 'Times.'
Sincere sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. Kernan in the loss they have sustained by the death of their fine young son.
The following letter has been received:
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES. Censorship Office, G.P.O. Melbourne, 4th October, 1917.
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kernan, — I am very, very sorry to see by this morning's papers that your son was killed in France on 22nd September. He served with me in the Bendigo Camp and on H.M.A.T. Ballarat and was one of my best officers. His brave action on the Ballarat, when torpedoed, recorded in the 'Argus' of 30th June last, as well as in the London 'Times' and other papers, will never be forgotten.
With deepest sympathy.
Yours very sincerely,
R. M. McVEA, Lt-Colonel."
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