Robert KEARNS

Regimental number2665
Place of birthBathurst, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
AddressGreenwell Point via Nowra, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation34
Height5' 7"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Minnie Longbottom Kearns, Greenwell Point via Nowra, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date27 June 1916
Place of enlistmentKiama, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name45th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/62/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll45th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 1 February 1918
Discharge date1 May 1918
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 7 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 November 1916, and marched in to 12th Training Bn.

Found guilty by District Court Martial, Codford, 28 February 1917, on charges (1) conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he in London on 13.2.17 was in possession of a document purporting to be a genuine pass but which he well knew not to be genuine; (2) conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in that he in London on 13.2.17, was masquerading as a New Zealand soldier; (3) being absent without leave, Codford, from 6 am, 12 February, until apprehended in London at 9 pm, 13 February 1917: awarded 90 days' detention.

Twenty-seven days of sentence remitted, 2 May 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 3 May 1917; marched in to 4th Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 4 May 1917.

Accidentally injured, 31 July 1917 (fracture of extreme top of terminal phalanx, great toe left); admitted to 2nd General Hospital, Havre, 1 August 1917 (contused left foot); transferred to England, 6 August 1917, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth; discharged from hospital to Assistant Provost Marshal, Warwick Square, London, 11 October 1917.

Found guilty, District Court Martial, Warwick Square, 14 November 1917, of charge of being absent without leave from 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, from 7 pm, 22 August, until surrendering to the Hospital Authorities at 3LHG at 7 pm, 9 October 1917: awarded 120 days' detention.

Unexpired portion of sentence (71 days) remitted as from 1 January 1918.

Discharged from AIF Detention Barracks, Lewes, 3 January 1918, and marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Balmoral Castle' for discharge (rheumatism), 1 February 1918; disembarked Sydney, 28 March 1918; discharged (medically unfit), Sydney, 1 May 1918.

War service: 1 year 308 days (of which 1 year 173 days were abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death19 July 1941 Berry Hospital, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, KEARNS Robert