Douglas Andrew KELL

Regimental number2646
Place of birthAdelaide South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationTraveller
AddressUnley, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation31
Next of kinWife, Mrs Violet Elizabeth Kell, 7 Unley Road, Unley, South Australia
Enlistment date10 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 28 April 1918

FateReturned to Australia 15 January 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Private Kell displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty during trying circumstances, when the emergency position we were occupying was heavily bombarded by the enemy with gas and high explosive shells. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Kell moved up and down the company, bandaging the wounded and attending to the gas cases, until it became necessary for the company to change its position to avoid further casualties from the shrapnel which the enemy was now using. Private Kell being sent from company headquarters to the different platoon commanders, had to pass through an area saturated with gas, and heavily barraged with high explosive shrapnel shell. On his own, he was seriously wounded, but managed to crawl to the nearest platoon commander; having delivered his message, he lost consciousness. By his self sacrificing courage, Private Kell was the means of saving many casualties, and this example of his conduct is not an isolated instance of behaviour which has several times been brought to notice as deserving of the highest praise during the last fifteen months he has been employed as company "runner".
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Date of death30 August 1949