Kenny, Charles Raymond
3713A Private Charles Raymond Kenny - 46th Battalion AIF
Charles was born in Perth WA on the 29th November 1898 to John and Gertrude Eliza Kenny. He had a younger sister Olive born in Subiaco in 1903. The family lived in North Fremantle during the 1900's during which time Charlie was educated locally and also saw service with the school cadets.
Sadly his father died at North Fremantle bridge in 1909, accidentally falling 30 feet from the bridge. In 1912 his mother remarried in Cue WA to Isaac Holt Fletcher. They then came to live in Fremantle, taking up residence in 201 Canning Road East Fremantle.
On the 22nd November 1917 Charlie enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Victoria. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording Charlie's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 6 & 1/2 inches tall;
Weight - 10 stone 2;
Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;
Complexion - Dark;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Brown.
After his successful enlistment, Charlie was sent to Broadmeadows Camps where he was assigned to the 10th reinforcements to the 46th Battalion AIF. This group trained in Broadmeadows for the next two months. On the 28th February 1918 Charlie and his group departed from port Melbourne aboard the transport ship HMAT Nestor and set sail for England. The ship arrived at Liverpool on the 20th April 1918.
Charlie and his group were then disembarked and sent to the 12th Training Battalion at Codford Camp on the Salisbury Plains. He trained here for the next few months but a bout of influenza delayed his departure for France. On the 15th July 1918 Charlie was sent over to France and went into the Australian Infantry Base Depot Camp at Le Havre. He was then taken on strength of the 46th Battalion on the 25th July 1918.
Through June and July 1918 the 46th Battalion were involved around the Hamel and Villers-Bretonneux sectors. On August 8th 1918, Australian, British and Canadian divisions launched their large assault and completely broke the German line, pushing them back even though the fighting was severe in some quarters. The 46th Battalion would advance well and were able to take their objectives.
The Germans were being continuously pushed back and in early September 1918 Peronne was recaptured. The 46th Battalion were in preparation for an attack on German positions on the Hindenburg Outpost Line on the 18th September 1918. The 46th Battalion were tasked with the third objective for their Brigade front which they successfully took. Charlie came through these last few months safely.
After this action the 46th Battalion was withdrawn from the line for a well deserved rest. However on the 19th September 1918 Charlie fell ill with influenza and was evacuated to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and influenza and on the 29th September 1918 was transferred to England.
Upon arrival in England, Charlie was sent to the Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol. He remained there for five weeks and was then transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. After another three weeks here Charlie was well enough to be released on the 29th November 1918 for a two week furlough. After this leave period was over Charlie was sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny. He would remain here for a month while waiting to be assigned a berth on a transport ship home.
On the 15th January 1919 Charlie boarded the transport ship City of Exeter and set sail for Australia, disembarking at Melbourne on the 2nd March 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on the 22nd March 1919.
Charlie returned to Western Australia in the 1920's finding work as a labourer at Katanning. He then returned to East Fremantle and in 1925 he married Margaret Violet May Fitzroy Higgins. A daughter Audrey was born in Katanning in 1925
Charlie died on the 21st August 1935 in Applecross aged 36. He was working at the Post Office when he was accidentally poisoned. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Presbyterian MON EE 0697.