James Edward KILPATRICK

Regimental number550
Place of birthGippsland Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationDriver
AddressDand Street, Albury, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinFather, J.E. Kilpatrick, Atkin Street, Alexandra, Victoria
Enlistment date22 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit name1 Divisional Train (1 to 4 Coys Army Service Corps) October, 1914
AWM Embarkation Roll number25/14/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adeladie, South Australia, on board HMAT A1 Hymettus on 22 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll558
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Company, Australian Army Service Corps
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal (Awarded)


For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty under heavy shellfire while on forward transport work. (East of Ypres).
Recommendation date: 27 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 8 October 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty under heavy shell fire whilst employed on forward transport work near WESTHOEK east of YPRES on 21st October, 1917. KILPATRICK was driver of one wagon of a convoy from the Divisional Train working on road repair. The shelling was particularly heavy and continuous, one hostile shell completely knocking him off his wagon and slightly wounding him. His horses bolted, but with wonderful courage he hung to the reins and succeeded in pulling his team up. Another driver held his team while he went back to have his wound dressed by the M.O. who accompanied the convoy. This dressing was just completed when another team attached to a G.S. wagon became frightened by the hostile shelling and bolted past where KILPATRICK stood. Again with admirable courage he rushed on to the road and succeeded in stopping the bolting team by himself.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Other detailsMedals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal