Herbert Leslie (Mick) KILPATRICK

KILPATRICK, Herbert Leslie

Service Numbers: WX6613, W22211
Enlisted: 19 July 1940
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 44 Infantry Battalion AMF
Born: "Rosedene", Bally Bally via Beverley, Western Australia, 17 June 1916
Home Town: Bally Bally, Beverley, Western Australia
Schooling: Bally Bally School, Western Australia
Occupation: Farmer, Tram Conductor, Clerk, Salesman
Died: Heart related issues , Perth, Western Australia, 5 June 2004, aged 87 years
Cemetery: Pinnaroo Valley Chapel & Crematorium
Cassia Court, Wall 23, Position 0082
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

19 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), WX6613
19 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, WX6613
25 Jan 1941: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Signaller, WX6613, 9th Corps Signals
25 Jan 1941: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, WX6613
23 Jul 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W22211, 44 Infantry Battalion AMF
23 Jul 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W22211
1 Jun 1942: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W22211, 44 Infantry Battalion AMF

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Biography contributed by Felicitas Moore

Mick enlisted in the A.I.F. (Service No. WX6613) in June 1940 at Claremont (Perth).  After preliminary training in Western Australia he was sent to Caulfield in Victoria and then on to Bathurst in New South Wales. 

He contracted pneumonia during training at Bathurst and very nearly died as a result.  Because he was so ill he remembered very little about what happened to him during the course of the first 3-4 weeks of his treatment at the Bathurst camp hospital.  He did, however, overhear the doctors debating whether or not to give him a mega dose of sulphur drugs.  It was decided they would have to go ahead with it or else he would not survive.  Although the drugs undoubtedly saved his life, he was left with lifelong stomach and pancreatic problems as a result. 

As he started to improve in health he was sent to Lady Gowrie Home in the Sydney suburb of Gordon.  After many weeks of convalescence he was discharged from the army in January 1941 as “Being medically unfit for service Not occasioned by his own default”.  He was sent home to Western Australia by train and returned to the family farm at Bally Bally to recover.

Just 6 months later, in July 1941, he was called up for service in the C.M.F. (Service No. W22211).  However, he was discharged in June 1942 - once again as “Being Medically Unfit not Occasioned by his Own Default”.

He later became a conductor on the W.A. trams and because he was a young man who looked healthy enough, he was often belittled by hurtful comments about him not enlisting and doing his part for the war effort.

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