Nicholas Joseph Rosekelly
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 31 Dec 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Charters Towers, Queensland |
| Death | 21 Sep 1960, aged 64 |
| Place of Death | Mount Lawley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 159lbs 72.121 kg ; pale complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair |
| Occupation | Hairdresser |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Nicholas Rosekelly |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | [ 3293] |
| Date of Enlistment | 25 Sep 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 46th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Dec 1916 ‒ 3 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 9 Dec 1918 ‒ 23 Jan 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Gosnells Primary School Honour Roll Gosnells Ward Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
The Rosekelly family was noted in the 1906 Post Office Directory as living in Gosnells, father Nicholas an engine driver. The Gosnells Local History Library has a photo of the c1905 Gosnells Primary School class including Nicholas.
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 25 Sep 1916 and on 28 Dec 1916 he was allocated to the 8th reinforcement group for the 46th Battalion. On arrival in England Nicholas was sent to the 12th Training Battalion at Camp 14, Codford to prepare for service on the Western Front. Before proceeding overseas he undertook a Musketry training course at Tidworth from 2 - 28 Jul 1917, qualifying as 2nd class, with a fair working knowledge of the Lewis Gun. He also was AWOL from midnight 28 Aug until 9:00pm on 4 Sep 1917 and as punishment lost his acting rank of Lance Corporal, and forfeited 7 days pay.
On 17 Sep 1917 Nicholas proceeded overseas to France via Southampton, and after nine days in the 4th Division's Based Depot, he was taken on strength by the 46th Battalion in the front line north of Zillebeke on 29 Sep 1917.
Illness struck Nicholas and on 12 Nov 1917 he presented to the 18th Field Ambulance with bronchitis and laryngitis. Passed to the 39th Stationary Hospital on 14 Nov 1917, they transferred him via Ambulance Train No 5 on 17 Nov 1918 to the 57th General Hospital. On 29 Nov 1917 Nicholas was transferred to England on HS Princesse Elisabeth where he was admitted to the Croydon War Hospital on 30 Nov 1917.
On 25 Jan 1918 he had recovered enough to be released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, and was granted furlough from 4 till 18 Feb 1918. Late returning from his leave, he was charged with being AWOL from 10:30am on 18 Feb until 6:00pm the same day. Admonished and forfeited a day's pay.
At No 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny Nicholas was charged with being AWOL from midnight 24 Aug until 7:40pm on 26 Aug 1918. For this he was awarded 5 days Field Punishment No. 2 (see notes) and loss of 7 day's pay. On 6 Sep 1918 he was again charged with having been AWOL, this time from Tattoo 6 Sep 1918 until 10:45pm on 6 Sep 1918. Punishment was 2 days confined to camp. Then on 25 Sep 1918 he was charged with being absent from 1:15pm until 4:30pm - Admonished. In November he was AWOL from midnight 10 Nov 1918 until 6:20am 11 Nov 1918 - Admonished again forfeited the day's pay.
Transferred to the No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth on 17 Nov 1918, he was sent home as quickly as possible. Discharged by the 5th Military District on 1 Mar 1919.
Post War
Married Lillian Patricia Dunn in the goldfields during 1927. Lillian died in Claremont on 2 Jan 1962, aged 59. Children Leah (1923 - ) and William Marten Thomas (1929 - ).
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 at 1462 Hewitt street, Kalgoorlie, hairdresser; 1925- 1931 at 136 Forrest street, Boulder, hairdresser; 1936 - 1958 at 337 Egan street, Hannans, hairdresser.
During WW2 Nick enlisted on 12 Jan 1942 and served in the 9th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps as a W02 (W47865), taking his discharge on 1 Aug 1944.
Notes
Field punishment could be awarded by a court martial or a commanding officer for any offence committed on active service. There were two categories field punishment. Field punishment No. 1 consisted of heavy labouring duties, possibly being restrained in handcuffs or fetters, and being tied to a post or wheel. Field punishment No. 2 differed, in that the offender was not liable to be attached to a fixed object. All offenders awarded field punishment shall march with their unit, carry their arms and accoutrements, perform all their military duties as well as extra fatigue duties, and be treated as defaulters.