Roy Kyle

Albert Roy Kyle was born in Cowra, New South Wales, and raised and educated in Ballarat, Victoria. He was a bank clerk at the time he volunteered for recruitment. When he enlisted on 4 June 1915, he gave his age as 19 rather than his actual 17, in order to be accepted for active service abroad. His service record suggests a possibly spirited young soldier, disciplined for absence without leave on more than one occasion.

On enlistment, Private Roy Kyle joined the 21st Infantry Battalion. He embarked on HMAT Demosthenes in Melbourne in July 1915. Soon after reaching Egypt, he was transferred to the 24th Infantry Battalion, with which he fought at Gallipoli.

Following the Gallipoli campaign, Roy served in France, initially with the 24th Infantry Battalion and then as gunner with the Heavy Trench Mortar Battery and then the 4th Medium Trench Mortar Battery. During mid-1918, he received severe shrapnel wounds to his right arm, back and head, which ended his service and precipitated his return to Australia. On 29 October, he boarded the SS Borda for Australia.

Following his war service, Roy returned to banking. He lived a long life, passing away in Geelong, Victoria, in 1996, one month before turning 99.