Victory Medal : Private Kenneth Whitelaw, 2 Pioneer Battalion AIF

Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipents details.

3446 Private Kenneth Whitelaw was born in the Victorian town of Briagolong to Robert and Annie Whitelaw. In November 1916, at the age of 32, he enlisted in the AIF. He joined the 2nd Pioneer Battalion as a reinforcement, joining the unit in France in March 1918 after a period of twelve months training in England. On 5 October 1918 he received a gunshot wound to the chest during the battle of Montbrehain. The wound was severe and he was evacuated to England for treatment. After months in hospital he was returned to Australia, arriving in July 1919. Private Whitelaw never recovered from his wound. He died from its effect on 17 October 1922.

Kenneth Whitelaw was one of six brothers who enlisted in the AIF. Three of them died during the First World War: Corporal Ivan Cecil Whitelaw MM, killed on 23 April 1918; Sergeant Robert Angus Whitelaw, killed on 3 May 1917; and Private Angus McSween Whitelaw, killed on 25 August 1916. Private Lionel Whitelaw and Sergeant Donald John Whitelaw both survived the war.