Kingsley, Norman Charles
2887 Private Norman Charles Kingsley - 12th Battalion AIF
Norman Charles Kingsley was born in Southport Lancashire England on the 11th December 1881 to Peter and Nancy Kingsley, being one of seven siblings in the family.
In 1891 they were living at North Meols Lancashire; and the 1901 census has them living at Southport Lancashire. After leaving school Norman took up an apprenticeship in Cabinet Making.
He was married in 1908 to Mary Ellen Knight and a son Joseph born in 1910. The 1911 census still has him living in Southport Lancashire and was working as a cabinet maker.
The family moved to Western Australia in 1912 and took up residence at 76 Jenkin Street South Fremantle. (later renumbered to 21 Jenkin Street). On arrival in Fremantle Norm resumed his occupation of cabinet making.
Prior to enlisting Norm was living at Canning Road Eat Fremantle.
On the 8th May 1916 Norm enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. He was accepted as fit for service, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 3 inches tall;
Weight - 126lbs;
Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Grey;
Hair - Dark Brown.;
Distinctive Marks - Tattoo on left wrist.
Upon his successful enlistment, Norm was sent to Belmont Camp where he was assigned to the 5th Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion. He trained with this group in WA for two and a half months and then on the 4th September 1916 was transferred to the 6th Reinforcements to the 5th Pioneer Battalion.
He had another seven weeks training with this group in WA and they then received their departure orders. On the 30th October 1916, Norm and his group entrained to Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Port Melbourne. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Devonport Harbour on the 28th December 1916.
On arrival in England, Norm was sent to the Pioneer Training Battalion at Fovant Camp. He spent the next six months here before being transferred to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington Camp. He was now re-assigned to be joining the 12th Battalion and began undertaking more infantry training. On the 8th August 1917 he fell ill with tonsilitis and was sent to Fargo Military Hospital.
Norm spent the next several months in England and in November 1917 was transferred to the 1st Training Battalion at Sutton Veny. Further training ensued for Norm and in March 1918 he sprained his ankle which he took some time to recover from. On the 4th May 1918 he was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell.
He would spent another two months in this camp before being sent to France on the 22nd July 1918. He was taken on strength of the 12th Battalion four days later. The 12th Battalion were then in the vicinity of Merris in Northern France.
In early August 1918, the 12th Battalion was moved south to Villers-Bretonneux where they would take part in the large advance that was due to take place on August 8th 1918. The 12th Battalion didn't take part in the first day of the advance but went into the line on the 9th August 1918 and on the following day wee in action around Lihons.
On the 10th August 1918 Norm hurt his ankle again and was sent to the 47th General hospital at Le Treport. He was found to be suffering from a fractured tibia had around twelve days here and was then shipped to England. Upon arrival Norm was sent to the 1st Birmingham War Hospital. He had a few weeks there and on the 4th September 1918 was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harfield. He was released on the 13th September 1918 and was given a two week furlough. On the 27th September 1918 he reported into No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth.
Norm soon fell ill and was diagnosed with venereal disease and was sent to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford. He was still in this hopital when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. On the 29th November 1918 Norm returned to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth.
On the 9th December 1918 Norm boarded the transport ship Leicestershire and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 15th January 1919. Norm was discharged from the AIF on the 16th February 1919.
After the war Norm worked for the WA Government Railways.
He then reunited with his family and were living at 'Palm Villa' Sea View Street Beaconsfield. After a few years here they moved to 19 Blinco Street Fremantle (later renumbered to 10 Blinco)
The family was here through the 1940's. Sadly Norm's wife Mary died in Fremantle in 1945. Norman died in Fremantle on the 20th December 1949 aged 70. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A7 0156.