The AIF Project

John Augustine KEELEY

Regimental number1967
Date of birth7 June 1898
Place of birthAlbany, Western Australia
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationPostal assistant
AddressBusselton, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 9.5"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs A Keeley, Katanning, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date9 February 1915
Place of enlistmentBusselton, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/28/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 26 April 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll51st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: "5 May 1918

Distinguished Servcie Medal (American)


Recommendation date: 23 February 1919"

FateReturned to Australia 28 February 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Western Australia Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Discharge date10 June 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

GWF

Taken on strength, 11th Bn, Gallipoli, 16 June 1915. Admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance, 7 July 1915 (diarrhoea); transferred to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 7 July 1915; to 16 Stationary Hospital, Lemnos, 8 July 1915; to Malta on board HS 'Gloucester Castle', 20 July 1915, and admitted to Cottonera Military Hospital. Disembarked Alexandria from Malta, 9 October 1915. Proceeded from Alexandria to rejoin unit at Gallipoli, 5 November 1915; rejoined unit, 6 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria , 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Found guilty, Serapeum, 22 January 1916, of being absent without leave from Camp from 9.30 am, 22 January, until arrested at Ismailia at 8 pm, 23 January 1916: awarded 72 hours' detention.

Transferred to 51st Bn, 29 February 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 12 June 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 8 June 1916; promoted Corporal, 17 August 1916; Sergeant, 11 May 1917.

Reprimanded, 28 June 1917, for disobedience of orders in that he visited Bailleul without a pass.

Placed on supernumerary list on being detached to 13th Training Bn, England, 16 August 1917. On Command at Lewis Gun School, 30 August 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 4 October 1917; rejoined unit, 6 October 1917. On leave to England, 30 November 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 18 December 1917.

Admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 29 April 1918 (sprained right ankle); transferred same day to 61st Casualty Clearing Station; to 18th US General Hospital, Camiers, 2 May 1918; to 6th Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 13 May 1918; rejoined unit, 18 June 1918.

Awarded Military Medal.

To duty with 2 American Corps, 24 September 1918; rejoined unit, 2 October 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 11 October 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 27 October 1918.

Proceeded to England for return to Australia, 2 January 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Anchises', 28 February 1919; disembarked Fremantle, 7 April 1919; discharged, 10 June 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Also served in World War II: served in AMF (11th, 28th and 13th Signals) for 3.6 years as N89924, Signaller; enlisted as W89924, 29 July 1942; enlisted as WX36311 in Special Forces for service in Australia or abroad, 29 December 1942; discharged, 27 January 1944.
Date of death22 June 1981

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