KENNIFF, Gwydir

KENNIFF, Gwydir – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 3139
RANK : Trooper
UNIT : 5th Light Hose Regiment
ENLISTMENT DATE : 25/07/1916
AGE : 22
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Moree, New South Wales
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Farmer
DATE OF DEATH : 18/10/1919
PLACE OF BURIAL : Rookwood, New South Wales

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour

View Veteran’s Service File : KENNIFF, Gwydir

NOTES :  Gwydir Kenniff was the son of George Ignatius and Elizabeth Jane (nee Goldby) Kenniff.

Gwydir enlisted on 25 July 1916 and on 19 November 1916, he was treated for influenza and measles. It was then recorded on his medical file he suffered from apoplexy which is a bleeding of the brain and was treated at the Military Hospital, Colombo. His condition worsened and while being treated at No. 8 Australian General Hospital Fremantle on 30 April 1917, he suffered from hemiplegia which presents as the paralysis of one side of the body caused from a stroke, traumatic brain injury or tumour.

A telegram received by the Department of Defence dated 2 May 1917 stated:

Lettergram number seven fifty seven number thirty one thirty nine Trooper G Kenniff fifth light horse was disembarked from New Zealand hospital ship Mahino at Albany on twenty seventh April and sent to number eight Australian General Hospital Fremantle arriving there thirtieth April.

Gwydir passed away on 18 October 1919. More than 90 years later, a Commonwealth War Graves report dated 3 September 2012 finally recognised his death as war related as his case was accepted for commemoration on 24th August 2012. Gwydir Kennett is now formally recognised on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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