Patrick O'Connell McKenna

Patrick O'Connell McKenna

Western Mail 30 Mar 1917 page 23
Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known "not known" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.
Place of Birth	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Death	6:30am 8 May 1919
Place of Death	Collie, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	22 years, 8 months
Description	5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 128 lbs 58.06 kg ; sallow complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation	Mill hand
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Justina Agnes McKenna
Military Information
Reg Number	110
Date of Enlistment	14 Sep 1914
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	16th Battalion, B Company / 4th Brigade, 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	22 Dec 1914 ‒ 1 Feb 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A40 Ceramic
Date of Return	15 Aug 1915 ‒ 4 Sep 1915
Ship Returned On	HMAT A32 Themistocles
Fate	Wounded in Action 2 May 1915, Baby 700, Gallipoli, Turkey Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Archives files do not contain information prior to his being wounded at Gaba Tepe at Gallipoli on 2 May 1915. However, it is known that he enlisted on 14 Sep 1914 at a time when the 16th Battalion was forming (15 Sep 1914) so it is very likely that he was a foundation member of the unit, and would have trained in both the Blackboy Hill camp and the Broadmeadows camp in Victoria. He would have travelled from Melbourne to Alexandria aboard HMAT A40 Ceramic and from Alexandria to Lemnos and ANZAC aboard HMT Haida Pascha. As a member of 'B' Company he landed in th evening of 25 Apr 1915.

Patrick was evacuated to Alexandria aboard HMHS Gascon (2nd trip with wounded) on 3 May 1915 and admitted on 7 May 1915 to the Egyptian Government's Shebia-el-Kom Hospital. On 18 Jun 1915 he was transferred to the Convalescent Camp at Mustapha. Continuing to have problems with his arm's strength he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital on 27 Jul 1915 and on 29 Jul 1915 returned to a convalescent camp at Helouau, before being sent to the Australian and New Zealand Convalescent Hospital on 13 Aug 1915 to await return to Australia from Port Suez.

A Medical Report quotes Patrick's version of how he was wounded on 2 May 1915

"in the trenches about midnight on 2nd May in a change. He received a gunshot wound in upper (right) arm which left his arm useless."

The Medical Report went on to state that the wound healed up in four weeks. For past six weeks arm has been useless. Found to have limited movement at elbow joint, and loss of power in arm below the wound. Deemed to be 3/4 total disability and perhaps would improve after 12 months.

On returning to Australia Patrick was admitted to the 8th Australian General Hospital at Fremantle from 4 Sep 1915 - 23 Sep 1916 before being discharged by 5th Military District on 25 Sep 1916.

Initially received a pension of 30/- fortnightly from 26 Sep 1916, but it was reduced to 15/- on 6 Dec 1917 given that he had gained employment with the WAGR.

Post War

Fatal Accident at Collie.

A SHUNTER KILLED.

Shortly after 10 o'clock on Wednesday evening, Shunter Patrick McKenna was engaged upon his duties on the siding leading to the Cooperative Mine at Collie. He had ordered a truck to be kicked off at the points, and after this had been done, jumped onto the footsteps of the engine. When returning past the points, it was observed that the truck was running back towards the engine. The driver put on steam to avoid a collision, but was unable to do so. The truck struck the engine just where the unfortunate man was sitting, with the result that he sustained terrible injuries. He was immediately removed to the Hospital and lingered in great pain until 6.30 a.m., when he expired. An inquest was opened, and, after formal evidence of identification had been given was adjourned. The remains were conveyed to Jarrahdale the following day for interment. Deceased, who was the son of Mr Edward McKenna, mill foreman of Jarrahdale, had seen active service abroad, and, after being invalided home and receiving his discharge, about 18 months ago, was employed by the Railway department at Northam. He was transferred to Collie a few days ago. He was about 24 years of age and unmarried. A brother, Mr Wm McKenna, also a returned soldier, is resident in Bunbury, where he is employed by Messrs Millars T. and T. Co, Ltd.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial