Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War I (1914-1918)

Date of Enlistment

25/07/1915

Date of Discharge

04/07/1919

Place of Enlistment

Goulburn NSW

Gender

Male

Place of Birth

Grahamstown, South Africa

Address (at enlistment)

Brickworks, Canberra ACT

Occupation

Labourer

Next of Kin

James Kew (father), Portland USA

Service Number

2695

Final Rank

Corporal

Final Unit

3 Battalion AIF

Queanbeyan RSL Wall of Remembrance, Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW

Military Medal (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 12 December 1918; page 2350, position 44)

Kew was born in South Africa and was labouring at the Canberra brickworks when he enlisted in July 1915 in Goulburn. He played cricket for the Brickbats and at his farewell in August 1915 he was presented with a cigarette case and a wrist watch. He joined the 3rd Battalion in France on 3 August 1916 in time for the battle at Pozières and the attack on Mouquet Farm where Kew suffered shell shock from the intense German barrage. He was promoted to Corporal in October 1917 when the 3rd Battalion was involved in the fighting between Ypres and Passchendaele, and was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Mont de Merris near Strazeele, France on 14 April 1918. He returned to Australia in March 1919 and to the Canberra district where he was welcomed home in July 1919. He was present at the end of 1919 at the funeral of another soldier, Harry McInnes.

The citation for his Military Medal states that "during an attack by the enemy Corporal Kew was in charge of his section in an advanced post. When all men of his section had become casualties he continued to fire his rifle from an exposed position under heavy fire and inflicted many casualties. His disregard for danger and coolness greatly inspired all ranks of his company."

Description - height 5 feet 4 inches, weight 138 pounds, chest 34 inches, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown, Church of England.

Queanbeyan Age - 26 March 1915, 6 August 1915, 15 October 1915, 29 October 1915, 8 July 1919, 17 October 1919, 12 December 1919
AWM First World War Unit Embarkation Rolls
AWM Honours & Awards
NAA RecordSearch - Series B2455 (First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920)