SAPPER KENNETH DUDLEY MOFFAT
18178 – Field Company Engineers / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Harrisville, Queensland was the birthplace of Kenneth Dudley Moffat on August 18, 1888 the son of Alexander and Edith Alyce Mary (nee Warde) Moffat.
His success as a fifteen year old in 1903 was reported in the:
Two years later he was a member of a group attending the following examination which was printed in the:
The following year he received his Agricultural diploma with the results published in:
In 1913 he was residing at Wellington Road, Red Hill, Brisbane and working as a well-borer. Two years later one of his contracts was reported in the:
With his intention to join the A.I.F. his boring equipment was advertised for sale which appeared in:
At the Adelaide Street Recruiting Depot in Brisbane, Queensland on September 29, 1916 the twenty-eight year old applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination but noted that he required dental treatment. Attestation forms were completed describing him on enlistment as residing at Lamington, Beaudesert, Qld and was 172cms (5ft 7½ins) tall, weighing 65.9kgs (145lbs) with a chest expansion of 87-95cms (34-37½ins). Complexion was medium with blue eyes that passed the eye test with good vision and had brown hair. Religious faith was Presbyterian. Next-of-kin nominated was his mother Mrs Edith Alice Mary Moffat of Wienholt Street, Auchenflower, Brisbane. He signed and took the “Oath on Enlistment” the same day.
Basic training commenced on October 30, 1916 at Enoggera camp, Brisbane to December 11 when final home leave of four days was granted. On December 16 he was allotted to the Reserve Reinforcements until January 5, 1917 and on January 22 assigned to train with the 9th Reinforcement to the Pioneer Battalion for four days instruction then on February 24 went to the Engineer Reinforcements 2nd Military District, Sydney, NSW ranked as a Sapper. On March 12, 1917 he was assigned to be a Driver with the April Reinforcements. His regimental number was 18178 and in preparation for departure it was noted that his Will had been lodged with the Public Curators Office, George Street, Brisbane, Qld.
Driver Moffat embarked with the Reinforcements to the Field Company Engineers at 1.45 p.m. from Port Sydney, NSW on August 2, 1917 on board the transport A28 HMAT Miltiades. They arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on August 7 at 5 p.m. and departed the next day. Balboa (Panama Canal) was reached on August 31 at 4 p.m. and left at 6 a.m. the following day travelling to Colon (Cristobel) by 2.45 p.m. and anchored in the Harbour on September 2 at 8 p.m. for seven days. Sailed to Halifax arriving at 7 p.m. on September 18 for refuelling and left the docks three days later at 6 p.m. for the final part of their journey. After 63 days at sea under Master of the Ship Captain W.J. Burge and Officer commanding the Troops Major C.H. Riatt they docked at Glasgow on October 2, 1917. The men arrived at Nos 1 & 3 Details camps at Parkhouse the next day for further training for the front.
Driver Moffat marched in to the Engineers Training Depot at Brightlingsea on November 12, 1917.
On January 21, 1918 he was admitted to the General Military Hospital at Colchester with Mumps remaining in isolation until February 19 when he returned to duty.
He proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on May 5, 1918 arriving at the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the next day. He was assigned to the 2nd Division Engineers on June 3 and taken on strength with the 6th Field Company the following day.
With his civil qualifications of well-borer he was more beneficial to the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was transferred on June 17 and taken on Supernumerary strength with the company. At his own request he reverted to the rank of Sapper.
His service continued without incident and was taken on strength with the company on August 1, 1918.
On October 14, 1918 he was attached to the 355 E & M. Company for duty until Peace was declared.
His company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and to supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies for those rehabilitating their districts.
On January 22, 1919 Sapper proceeded on leave to Paris returning on January 31. On March 17 leave to England was granted and reported to A.I.F. Headquarters in London and taken on strength with them. Non Military Employment (NME) was granted with pay only for the purpose of attending Mr W. Noble, Hoggate, Malton Bridge in Midlothian, Scotland to study agriculture for three months. Approval for subsistence of six shillings per day from March 17 until April 24 was later granted. On expiration of Special Leave he returned to London on June 17, 1919 and was re-transferred to the Alphabetical Company.
He marched out to the No. 2 Group Camp on June 21, 1919 to await his voyage home.
Sapper Moffat embarked after demobilisation on July 7, 1919 on board the transport Chemnitz for his return to Australia. News of his impending return was received by his mother and printed in:
On August 5 Base Records officially advised her that he was returning home. The ship arrived in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on September 8, 1919.
His arrival on the transport in Brisbane was reported in:
At the No.6 General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on September 9 he went before the embarkation medical board and his Statement of Case was:
Chronic nasal catarrh – one year’s duration – aggravated by Military Service.
Present condition – still exists.
He was assessed by Major Foxton who made his report on September 19, 1919 and noted the soldier ‘wishes discharge’ and approval was issued.
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on October 19, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment. A welcome home social was reported in:
The British War Medal (31939) and the Victory Medal (30067) were issued to Driver / Sapper 18178 Kenneth Dudley Moffat, Field Company Engineers / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company for serving his country.
He was a farmer at Chinglue Creek, Lamington in 1925. His tender was one of the lowest for a War Service Home in 1925 which was reported in:
In 1931 he was a driller at Noonkabah Station, Derby, W.A. and returned to Campbell Terrace, Nundah with the occupation of driller in 1936 to 1937. He was at Mount Garnet in North Queensland and the following was announced in:
His address is listed as Campbell Terrace, Nundah in 1943 with the occupation of driller. They were at 14 Wallace Street, Morwell, Victoria with his occupation as superintendent in 1949. The following advertisement was placed in the:
In 1954 his address was given as 28 Campbell Street, Wavell Heights with inspector as his occupation.
Kenneth Dudley Moffat passed away on July 3, 1978 aged 90 years. Family notices were placed in:
“After he died, I became the custodian of his memoirs. I have some 200 letters he wrote to his mother from 1917 to 1919. He also kept a running journal of his army enlistment, and of his lifetime work also. The WW1 writings are mainly of non military sightseeing tripsetc. They consist of a collection of manylittle books 6" x 3" or so and written by indelible pencil. There are photos, some if France,and memorabilia he collected during this time. He sent home portrait photos of himself in winter uniform to his mum, Grandma Moffat, who lived to be 101 yrs old. I have them too.
He was "seconded/shanghaied" into the CCCS during WW2 to drill for water in Central Australia for the Mica Miners, and also worked in ports in Qld, driving piles using a steam driven hammer, to repair and extend wharfs, including the wharf facilities in Townsville.
I applied for and he receivedposthumouslythe Civilian Service Medal 1939 1945 for his contribution to the WW2 war effort.
His name is on the Beaudesert QLD war memorial along with his cousin and mates who enlisted from that area.”
Alan Moffat – son of Kenneth Dudley Moffat
© Donna Baldey 2013/2015
www.tunnellers.net