Distinguished Conduct Medal : Private W G Kite, 56 Battalion, AIF Accession Number: REL22873.001

Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Contextual Description

1680 Lance Corporal William George Kite, a 22 year old labourer from Namburra via Temora, NSW, enlisted 20 January 1916 in the 2nd Reinforcements of 56 Battalion, AIF. He returned to Australia on 23 June 1919. Kite was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 1 September 1918 at Peronne. The recommendation for the award reads, 'On 1-9-18 during the attack on PERONNE on four occasions he delivered important messages to company commanders. On each occasion he had to go through an intense barrage. His gallantry, devotion to duty and his anxiety to go forward were remarkable. In several instances he had to crawl 300 yards to deliver his messages. He Bandaged and at great personal risk carried a wounded man back to the RAP on his back under heavy fire. On the 2-8-18 during the second attack, although weary from want of sleep he repeatedly carried messages to the front line and each time brought back valuable information regarding the front line situation obtained by his own personal observation. Each time he went forward he took with him a number of shell dressings and bandaged the wounded men laying in the open at great personal risk. On the night of 2nd/3rd of September he took forward the order for the relief of the Battalion by the 59th Battalion. Without orders he remained until the relief was complete although the shell fire forward was heavy, and personally guided three companies one after the other to the point where the Battalion guides were waiting. During the two days he had practically no sleep and on two occasions was prostrated by 'pepper' gas. I cannot speak too highly of this man's courage and devotion to duty, and his soldierly qualities'. Kite was also awarded the Military Medal on 24 April 1918 for operations near Villers Bretonneux, citation unavailable. An officer noted of him 'He is quite a remarkable man, in that he appears to have no fear. Above all his cheerfulness is contagious.' Kite also served in the Second World War as a signalman in the Australian Signals Training Battalion, with the service number N79711. He enlisted on October 1940 and was discharged in September 1946.