KERMOND, Arthur William

Arthur was born to Joseph and Mary Kermond and his birth registered at Mudgee NSW in 1894.  He was a twenty one year old Labourer at Warialda when he enlisted in February 1916 and joined other district men to form the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs on their way to the Narrabri and Armidale camps.

He became a member of A Company Depot Battalion at Armidale where training was undertaken before the men were moved to Rutherford Camp.  Arthur was transferred to the 33rd Battalion 2nd Reinforcement just prior to leaving Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916.  After nine weeks at sea, the Battalion arrived in England where further training took place until they were sent to France in November.  During August the following year Arthur was appointed Lance Corporal, however, at his request, he reverted to Private a few weeks later.

Arthur was gassed in April 1918 and invalided back to England where he was admitted to Forvant Military Hospital until his return to France in August.  Not quite three weeks later he was gassed again and evacuated to hospital in England.  Private Kermond returned to Australia by the ship Aeneas in February 1919 and medically discharged the following month.

After the War he lived at Warialda where he died in 1938 following an accident in which he was severely burnt.

Private Kermond is remembered at Warialda where his name is recorded on the town’s Honor Roll.

Photo: The Australian Worker, 9 November 1916 page 15