Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Kenneth Willoughby Bollen was born on the 26th February 1896, son of Dr Percival and Elizabeth Ellen, nee Willoughby of Semaphore. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating in 1918. He attempted to enlist in the AIF whilst he was a final year student in June 1918.  He had previous experience for four years as a Senior Cadet. He was found fit but was not called up for duty and advised to complete his studies that year but was maintained at B Company Mitcham AIF Camp until the 18th November when he was discharged. He graduated on the 26th November 1918.

After graduation, Bollen reapplied for enlistment. He was 22 years old, single, 5ft 9ins tall, weighed 145lbs, of fair complexion brown eyes, brown hair with several scars. He embarked at Port Adelaide on the 14th January 1919 on the HMAT Boonah for England with a few hours notice and disembarked at Tilbury on the 28th March 1919. He was then attached for duty with the Parkhouse extension on the 3rd April 1919. He marched out to Lewes Detention Barracks on 16th July 1919. He was informed that he could not be released from duty until the Detention Barracks were closed. He also performed duty at 1st ADH, Belford from 1st May -16th July 1919. Bollen’s records state that he completed 1 year 152 days in the AIF. His discharge was post-dated in February 1920 to be 28th April 1920 so that he could undertake a post graduate course in America. He provided evidence of letters from Dr Thomas S Cullen, Senior Gynaecologist of John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore to support his request.

Bollen practised for many years in Semaphore after the war and certainly until the 1950s. He married Kathleen Maime Beaver on the 27th January 1926. He was well known and respected in that area. His rooms were on the north side of Semaphore Rd. and he used the Wolverton Hospital (later Le Fevre Hospital). Kenneth Willoughby Bollen died on the 30th May 1972. He was survived by his wife.