Regimental number | 2646 |
Place of birth | Adelaide South Australia |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Traveller |
Address | Unley, South Australia |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 31 |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Violet Elizabeth Kell, 7 Unley Road, Unley, South Australia |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
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: |
Date of death |