James Charles (Jim) KICHENSIDE

KICHENSIDE, James Charles

Service Number: O33628
Enlisted: 15 July 1965
Last Rank: Squadron Leader
Last Unit: No. 79 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Marrickville, NSW, 30 July 1930
Home Town: Not yet discovered
Schooling: Sydney Technical High School
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Sydney Technical High School Vietnam War Honour Board
Show Relationships

Vietnam War Service

15 Jul 1965: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, O33628
15 Jul 1965: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, O33628, No. 79 Squadron (RAAF)

Help us honour James Charles Kichenside's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed

1969 - Awarded the Polar Medal

James Charles Kichenside – Silver: 1960–61 (ANARE – RAAF Pilot at Mawson)

The Imperial Polar Medal was instituted in 1904 by King Edward VII to recognize distinguished service in the Arctic and Antarctic. Until 1958, all members of an Australian expedition who wintered on the Antarctic continent were awarded the Imperial Polar Medal. Awards were given on a team basis.

In 1968, it was decided that those who wintered-over should receive individual recognition – the Antarctic Service Medallion (known unofficially as the Winterer’s Medal).

Accordingly, between 1968 and 1987 the Polar Medal was issued only for ‘extreme human endeavour against the appalling weather and conditions that exist in the Arctic and Antarctic.’ As a result, fewer expeditioners received the Polar Medal award.

The Polar Medal was replaced by the Australian Antarctic Medal in 1987 which is awarded for ‘outstanding service in scientific research or exploration in connection with an Australian Antarctic expedition or for support of such work’.

Read more...