| Regimental number | 2545 |
| True Name | McKENZIE, Kenneth Gordon |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farm labourer |
| Address | Tallarook PO, Tallarook, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 150 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Mrs A Hawkins, 108 Erskineville Road, Erskineville, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 17th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/34/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 17th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in assisting wounded; also did excellent work on patrols. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 March 1916. Wounded in action, 31 July 1916 (gun shot wound, left arm), and admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 32nd Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, 2 August 1916; to England, 3 August 1916, and admitted to 3rd Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 4 August 1916; discharged on furlough, 14 September 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, and marched in to Base Depot, Etaples, 12 December 1916. Found guilty, 13 December 1916, of stowing away on a draft to France: awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No 2. Rejoined Bn, in the field, 10 January 1917. Wounded in action (second occasion), 2 March 1917 (gun shot wound, left leg), and admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, 5 March 1917; to England, 8 April 1917, and admitted to Military Hospital, Fulham (wound: severe); transferred to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 14 June 1917. By sworn Declaration assumed true name of Kenneth Gordon McKENZIE, 30 June 1917. Commenced return to Australia on board HS 'Karoola', 3 July 1917; discharged, Melbourne, 22 February 1918 (medically unfit). CAMPBELL/McKENZIE wrote from No 11 Australian General Hospital, Caulfield, to District Paymaster, 2nd Military District, Sydney, 9 September 1917: 'Am writing as instructed with regard to my allotment. Sometime ago my allotment was stopped owing to it being altered from Mrs. A. Hawkins of No. 3, John Street, Erskinville, to Mrs. E. McKenzie of no. 12 Coote street, South Melbourne, Victoria. Well Sir, I do not wish you to pay anyone, not even to Mrs. E. McKenzie or anyone else. The reason I must tell you. Just before I arrived home my mother deserted my father, at the same time robbing him of everything he had, and leaving him badly in debt. She even went so far as to tell my fatgher that she was going to draw all my back allotment money, so I thought I would write to you to try and stop her from doing so, and at the same time to try and get it so as to get my father out of debt, so if you could do this you would do my father a good turn.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | NOK subsequently listed as mother, Mrs Mary McKENZIE, 12 Coote Street, South Melbourne, Victoria. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CAMPBELL John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
