Bede Carnot Clarence Kirton

Bede Kirton was born in Appin, N.S.W. around 1894.  

When Bede enlisted at the age of 20 (Service No 750), he was single, worked as a farmer, and lived at Bulli, N.S.W.  Before enlisting Bede had served 4 years in the Cadets and 3 years in the CMF.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A23 Suffolk with G Company, 2nd Battalion on 18th October 1914.  The troops arrived in Egypt on 18th December 1914.  While in Cairo, Bede was admitted to hospital with dysentery from 29th April till 3rd May 1915.

He arrived on Gallipoli on 3rd June 1915 and served there until 8th August when he was wounded and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right leg.  Bede was returned to Australia in September 1915 and discharged medically unfit on 8th December 1915.

Bede re-enlisted (Service No 29307) on 8th May 1916 and embarked from Sydney on HMAT A60 Aeneas with 117th Howitzer Brigade on 30th September 1916.  The troops arrived in England and Bede was sent on to France, arriving on 14th December 1916.

In 1917 Bede showed great bravery and gallentry during fighting and was subsequently awarded the Military Medal and a Bar to the Military Medal - details below.

On 25th April 1918 he was promoted to Lance Corporal, and again, on 11th December 1918, to Corporal.

Bede served on the Western Front with 3rd Division Signal Corps and Artillery.  He returned to Australia in June 1919, and was discharged on 25th September 1919.

On 8th April 1917, Bede was awarded the Military Medal.  The citation reads: 'at 3.pm on 8th April 1917, whilst on duty with 107 Battery, in action near Ploegsteert, this man showed conspicuous gallantry and coolness under heavy enemy shellfire.  Having obeyed an order to evacuate his battery position owing to hostile fire, Gnr KIRTON ascertained one of his comrades was unconsious at the battery position and immediately returned with an officer and at great personal risk in order to remove his comrade from danger.  The enemy were at this time shelling the battery with 5.9 H.E. and gas shells at a fast rate.  I recommend this man for immediate reward.' Commonwealth Gazette No 174 11th October 1917.

On 30th September 1917 Bede was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal.  The  citation reads: 'In the second attack at Ypres on 26th September 1917 Gnr KIRTON, went forward with F.O.O. party.  This signaller carried a most important dispatch back to inform Brigade HQ through an intense enemy barrage.  He then went back towards the front line, selected and established a visual signalling station and maintained communication between FOO and group entirely by himself for 36 hours.  This information sent back was most valuable and enabled the group to smash up several counter attacks.  Throughout the whole time he displayed the greatest coolness and devotion to duty and an absolute disregard for personal safety.' Commonwealth Gazette No 66 2nd May 1918.