Kerrigan was a postal assistant when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on November 14, 1916, allotted service number 2858 and posted as a reinforcement to the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on November 25 and disembarked at Devonport, England on January 29, 1917. After training in England he proceeded to France and joined the 1st Anzac Corps Wireless Section on May 12. he transferred to the 1st Australian Divisional Signal Company Division on June 23. He was commended for his bravery at the Battle of Menin Road September 20. During the attack on Polygon Wood, he displayed conspicuous gallantry. He was in charge of an Amplifier and Power Buzzer Station at advanced brigade forward station. He took his station over with the first wave and six minutes after the taking of the second objective had established communication with cable head. When the cable head was hit by a shell and several operators wounded he left his station and went over under heavy shell fire, reorganised the station and re-established communication. He was awarded the Military Medal. He embarked to return to Australia on July 4, 1919.
Kerrigan was a postal assistant when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on November 14, 1916, allotted service number 2858 and posted as a reinforcement to the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on November 25 and disembarked at Devonport, England on January 29, 1917. After training in England he proceeded to France and joined the 1st Anzac Corps Wireless Section on May 12. he transferred to the 1st Australian Divisional Signal Company Division on June 23. He was commended for his bravery at the Battle of Menin Road September 20. During the attack on Polygon Wood, he displayed conspicuous gallantry. He was in charge of an Amplifier and Power Buzzer Station at advanced brigade forward station. He took his station over with the first wave and six minutes after the taking of the second objective had established communication with cable head. When the cable head was hit by a shell and several operators wounded he left his station and went over under heavy shell fire, reorganised the station and re-established communication. He was awarded the Military Medal. He embarked to return to Australia on July 4, 1919.
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