| Regimental number | 2179 |
| Place of birth | Henley Beach, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Grocer |
| Address | 'Kelsey's Store', Henley Beach, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 151 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, William Kelsey, 'Kelsey's Store', Henley Beach, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served for 2 years in School Rifle Club; 2 years in 10th Regiment, Citizen Military Forces; 2 years in 23rd Light Horse Regiment, Citizen Military Forces (still serving at time of AIF enlistment). |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private/Acting Corporal |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A15 Star Of England on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 7th Field Company Engineers |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Joined 27th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 12 January 1916, and appointed Lance Corporal. Transferred to 7th Field Company Engineers, Moascar Camp, Ismailia, 7 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 14 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 19 March 1916. Admitted to 7th Field Ambulance, 18 March 1916 (broncho-pneumonia); transferred to British Section, Lahore Indian Stationary Hospital, Marseilles, 20 March 1916; discharged to duty, 7 May 1916. Rejoined unit, in the field, 9 June 1916. Wounded in action, 5 August 1916, remaining at duty. Promoted Temporary 2nd Corporal, 22 August 1916. Promoted Corporal, 21 November 1916. On leave to England, 13 December 1916. Wounded in action, 20 February 1917 (bayonet wound thigh and bruised scrotum: jumped into an outpost to obtain cover from enemy fire; soldier 'in no way to blame'), and admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to England, 1 March 1917, and admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Brighton, 2 March 1917; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 16 March 1917; discharged on furlough, 21 August 1917, to report to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 4 September 1917. Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 19 January 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 7 June 1918; rejoined unit, in the field, 15 June 1918. Detached to Royal Engineers Training School, 5 October 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 6 November 1918. Promoted Temporary Sergeant, 21 December 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 3 March 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 27 March 1919.Admitted to 39th General Hospital, Havre, 23 April 1919 (not yet diagnosed); discharged to Base Depot, Havre, 25 April 1919 (scabies). Marched out to England for return to Australia, 26 April 1919; marched into No 2 Group, Sutton Veny, 27 April 1919. Granted leave with pay and subs. fees £2-16-0, 12 June-12 September 1919: Non-Military Employment, to attend Skerry's Business College, Glasgow, for accountancy: leave extended from 13 September to 11 October 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ypiringa', 15 November 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 1 January 1920; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 2 March 1920. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, KELSEY Ernest William |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
