HOUSTON, Kenneth Spalding
| Service Number: | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Bowden, South Australia, September 1898 |
| Home Town: | Mount Hawthorn, Vincent, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Geraldton State School, Geraldton, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | MG bullet through neck, Villers-Bretonneux, France, 25 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1928, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 1928, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Bee embarkation_ship_number: A48 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 1928, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Seang Bee, Fremantle |
Help us honour Kenneth Spalding Houston's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Friends of ANZAC Cottage Inc, WA
Another Mount Hawthorn boy, Kenneth Spalding Houston enlisted on this day 20 March in 1916. His father, Hugh, a police constable had enlisted in July 1915 and Kenneth was very keen to ‘do his bit’ like his dad. However, Ken was very young- only 17 years and 7 months when he enlisted (his attestation papers show he was 18).
Another interesting fact is that Kenneth’s attestation papers show the family living in Edinburgh Street Mount Hawthorn, whilst his father ‘s show them living in Coogee Street.
Prior to enlistment, Ken was working as a farmer maybe in the locality of Kononngorring, near Wongan Hills.
However, Kenneth’s father, still on active service when his young son arrived in France ready for battle, appealed to the military authorities to hold back the young lad from entering the firing line due to his youth. When the young man reached the age of 19 he was allowed to rejoin his 51st Battalion.
Sadly, just months later, on ANZAC Day 1918, Kenneth was killed in action at Villers Bretonneux.
His mother later received her son’s belongings: a wallet, cards and photos.
The family continued living at 109 Coogee Street for some years until moving to Claremont. “In memoriam" notices were posted for Kenneth from his family for many many years after his tragic death.
Lest we forget.
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