Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Edward Cornelius Kirkpatrick (Service No. 6339), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 15 April 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Edward Cornelius Kirkpatrick was born on 27 September 1896 in Calliope, Qld, to James Kirkpatrick and Mary Kirkpatrick (nee Brennan). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 12 April 1916, named his father as next of kin, his occupation as labourer, and marital status as single. He embarked for active service abroad on 22 December 1916. After disembarking at Plymouth, England, on 3 March 1917, he was allotted to the 7th Training Battalion. The following month, on 11 April 1917, he was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital seriously ill with pneumonia. He recovered and, in October, proceeded overseas to France.

Soon after, he joined his unit in Belgium. In November he was admitted to a field hospital suffering from influenza and, on 7 December 1917, was transferred to the 53rd General Hospital at Boulogne. In January 1918 he was treated at the 25th General Hospital for scabies before returning to duty at the 1st Convalescent Depot.

In early 1918 he was again hospitalised through illness before being declared fit on 26 January and posted to the 3rd Rest Camp. Four days later he marched into the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Havre and rejoined his battalion in Belgium on 10 February. In September 1918 in France, he was wounded in action, sustaining gunshot wounds to the face and arm, and was admitted to a field hospital before being transferred to the 4th General Hospital. He rejoined his battalion in late November, but in December 1918 he was treated by the 7th Field Ambulance for septic sores on his ankle and by the 55th Casualty Clearing Station for an injured foot. He was soon discharged and returned to duty, remaining with the 26th Battalion until the post-war demobilisation period.

Private Kirkpatrick embarked for return to Australia in January 1920 aboard the Cap Verde, disembarking at Sydney in late February 1920. His service with the Australian Imperial Force concluded with his discharge at Brisbane on 30 April 1920, upon the termination of his period of enlistment.

Following his return to Australia, in 1921/22 he is recorded as living in Rockhampton Qld and working as a butcher, and by 1943 was living in Beaudesert working as a labourer. He also served as a volunteer in the Australian Militia Forces, enlisting in November 1936 (service number 74888).

Private Edward Cornelius Kirkpatrick died on 16 May 1946, aged 49, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who never married and had no known children.

After almost 80 years without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity has now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.