Michael Joseph Kavangh enlisted as soon as war was declared on August 12, 1914. He was a young single man, aged 27 years and 5 months old, living in Melbourne, but with his family living in Perth. By trade, he declared himself a woodworker, coach builder and wheelwright. He was a good height for the time, 5' 9" tall, Roman Catholic by faith, had served 5 years with the West Australian Senior Cadets, and had a three year apprenticeship with Daniel White, West Australia.
Michael Kavanagh signed up on 26 August, 1914, and was placed for training as a Sapper with the 2nd Field Company Engineers, part of the Australian 1st Division. Field Engineering Companies were responsible for mobility, counter-mobility, construction, mapping, tunnelling and ming operations. This entailed the preparation and supervision of defensive and gun positions; excavation of trenches and dugouts; erection of wire and other obstacles, signalling and water supply; field emngineering, road and bridge construction.
On 26 November, 1914, Michael Kavanagh was given 21 days detention, for what offense is not clear in his record, probably for absconding prior to the voyage overseas . He would have left for Egypt with the 1st Convoy of Australian and New Zealand ships taking soldiers to the Gallipoli front, setting off from Albany, Western Australia on 1 December, 1914. Perhaps he took a chance to see his family in Perth before departure. Once in Egypt, the newly organised AIF recruits were transferred to already established British military camps around Cairo in training for the assault on Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915.
As a soldier in an engineering corompany, Michael Kavanagh would have taken part in the landing at Anzac Cove and the subsequent action at Krithia and Cape Helles. The 1st Division made the initial landing at Anzac Cove, but suffered significant casualties. Whether the engineers were in the front line or not, it must have been a horrifying ordeal.
On 6 June, 1915, Kavanagh was declared medically unfit for further military action, It was recommended that he be sent home on the grounds of ill-health, which prevented him from carrying out his duties.
A medical report, written on 26 February 1916 stated:
Chronic gastritits. History of pain and vomiting for three years prior to enlistment. Condition not good. Tongue clean, appetite good. Recommend discharge as permanenty unfit. Suitable employment has been found for this man.Signed Lt. Col. H.A. Hadley; Major P.M. O'Meara
The medical records of 2nd May, 1915 show the condition as on-going: History of pain, vomiting for three years - pain after food, not relieved by vomiting. Pain and vomiting come in definite attacks. Patient keeps more of less fit by strict dieting. Lasst attack while at Mena Camp started soon after arrival in December 1914 - in spite of treatment, improves but little, He has lost two stones in weight.
The final report, written on the HMAT Kyarra A55 on 10 May, 1916: No. 42 2nd Eng. Pte Kavanagh, Michael J. is recommended for disembarkation in Perth. In my opinion, he is suffering from a neurosis, with stomach manifestations, not from any definite lesion of the stomach.
In 1920, Michael Kavanagh was in Perth, living at 6 Woodville St., North Perth; in 1921, he was at the same address, working as a secretary. Becasue his name was fairly common, it is difficult to trace him through the Electoral Rolls, or Births, Death and Marriages. This is because, on his Enlistment form, he stated his father's name as H.W. Kavanagh, 44 Mary St., Perth and this is the only thing that distinguishes him from other Michael Joseph Kavanaghs, yet the only document that has this name as the father of Michael Joseoh Kavanagh is on his enlistment form.