Francis Henry Kingston
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Sep 1892 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Death | 22 Aug 1978, aged 85 |
| Place of Death | Lesmurdie, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 7 months |
| Description |
5'7" (1.70m) tall ; 135lbs 61.235 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | (NOK) Pipe Track, Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr HW Kingston |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2436 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Jun 1916 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 43rd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1916 ‒ 28 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A16 Port Melbourne |
| Date of Return | 1 Jul 1919 ‒ 10 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Karmala |
| Fate |
WIA 26 May 1918 Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Wattle Grove Progress Association Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Francis was teaching at Yerbillon (No 5 Pumping Station on Goldfields Pipeline) at time of enlistment.
War Service
Francis entered Blackboy Hill camp in 1 Jun 1916 and three weeks later was allocated to the 7th reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion.. On 8 Apr 1916 he was sent to a school for NCOs, and on 16 Aug 1916 he was promoted Corporal. On 14 Sep 1916 he was reallocated to the 18th draft for the 28th Battalion, before on 30 Oct 1916 moving again, this time to the 4th reinforcement draft for the 43rd Battalion, embarking the same day at Fremantle.
Disembarking at Devonport, he was sent to the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington to prepare for France, reverting to the ranks at this time. On 6 Nov 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Southampton, and on 17 Nov 1917 he was taken on strength of the 43rd Battalion who were in Division Reserve holding ground between the Rivers Douve and Lys.
Appointed lance Corporal on 27 Apr 1918, he was wounded in action (gassed) on 26 May 1918. He returned to his unit on 7 Jun 1918, and on 5 Jul 1918 he was promoted Temporary Corporal.
Made an Acting Sergeant for the journey home aboard SS Karmala. His discharge date is not recorded.
Post War
In 1919 in the Yilgarn, Francis married Winifred Ethel Stump. Winifred died 30 Jun 1982 at Lesmurdie, aged 85.
During WW2 Francis enlisted in Claremont on 19 Jun 1942 with regimental Number W65644.
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 Darkan, school teacher; 1925 at 60 North Beach road, Balkatta, motor bus proprietor; 1931 at 250 Loftus street North Perth, motor bus proprietor; 1936 - 1968 Doonan street, Claremont, confectioner; 1972 - 1977 retired at "Concord" Sanderson road, Lesmurdie
Notes