The AIF Project

Oliver Henry KIRKLAND

Regimental number1940
Place of birthSaddleworth South Australia
ReligionMethodist
OccupationFarmer
AddressSaddleworth, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinFather, Mr Alfred Robert Kirkland, Saddleworth, South Australia
Enlistment date12 April 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name50th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/67/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 13 July 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll43rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Meritorious Service Medal


Recommendation date: 17 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 1 April 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'For continuous good service and devotion to duty. During the period from March to September Private KIRKLAND has done conspicuous good service as a stretcher bearer. On the 30th March, 1918, during an enemy operation East of SAILLY-le-SEC he carried men to the rear through very heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On the 22nd August, 1918, when the Battalion moved to a position of readiness West of BRAY they encountered a barrage. Private KIRKLAND at great risk went looking for wounded comrades, bandaging them up and carrying them to the rear. On the 29th August, 1918, his Company again had many casualties and the same action was repeated. After attending to our men he noticed a British Officer who was badly wounded. he ran forward and commenced bandaging this Officer. A shell burst very near him wounding him in the face. He continued attending to the Officer and carried him to the rear before having his own wounds attended to.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 91
Date: 2 April 1973

Bar to Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Family/military connectionsBrothers: 1938 Pte Arthur Edward KIRKLAND, 43rd Bn, returned to Australia, 16 January 1919; 1939 Pte Albert Robert KIRKLAND, AIF Headquarters, effective abroad (still overseas).
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death9 May 1985

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