The AIF Project

William Charles KETCHEN

Regimental number2158
Place of birthLondon England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSteward
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, T H Ketchen, 43 Dee Street, Poplar, England
Enlistment date10 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 23 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'When the 54th Battalion moved from the 1st Anzac Corps Forward Area into the front line to participate in the operations culminating in the attack on the 26th September 1917, Corporal KETCHEN was detailed to remain at the Battalion Transport lines, when on the night 25th September 1917, the Signal Sergeant was killed and the Signal Section then being without an N.C.O., Corporal KETCHEN without orders immediately proceed to Battalion Headquarters, together with Signaller Pratt and Signaller Develand, and under most intense enemy barrage, he on seven occasions went out and repaired the line between Battalion Headquarters and Cable Head, and on six occasions the line between Battalion Headquarters and Company Headquarters. The splendid work of the Headquarters Signal Section during the trying period from 24th to the 28th September was almost entirely due to this N.C.O.'s splendid example.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Other detailsMedals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death15 December 1967
Place of burialEastern Suburbs Memorial Park Cemetery

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