Henry Richard Keefe
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1876 |
| Place of Birth | Camberwell, London, England |
| Age at Enlistment | 38 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'8½" (1.m) tall ; 178 lbs 80.739 kg ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Plumber |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | None given |
| Next of Kin | Daughter , Miss Doris Nellie Keefe |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 926 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jan 1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, D Company / transferred to 7th Field Ambulance |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Jun 1915 ‒ 2 Jul 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A11 Ascanius Fremantle to Port Suez |
| Fate | Discharged in London |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (Beenup Panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
A widower who had served for 15 months in the Medical Corps in South Africa, before emigrating to Australia in 1910.
Electoral Roll entry - 1913 Mt Kokeby, plumber
War Service
An original member of the 28th Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 16 Apr 1915 and would have traveled with them to Egypt. His records indicate his embarkation in Australia occurring on 9 May 1915 without indicating unit or ship. (The 28th Battalion sailed from Fremantle on 9 Jun 1915 aboard HMAT A11 Ascanius so it is likely to be a recording error).
On 4 Sep 1915 he embarked with the 28th Battalion on HMT Ivernia for the Gallipoli Peninsular, and on 10 Sep 1915 he transferred to the HMS Sarnia for the journey from Mudros harbour to Anzac Cove. Four months later, on 10 Jan 1916 he disembarked from the HMT Ausonia in Alexandria from Mudros and he and his the unit moved to Tel-el-Kebir where on 12 Jan 1916 he was promoted Lance Sergeant.
On 15 Mar 1916 he and his unit boarded a train at Moascar for Alexandria where on the next day they embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles arriving in Marseilles during the afternoon of 21 Mar 1916, and disembarking during the morning of 22 Mar 1916. On 29 Sep 1916 Henry was transferred to the 7th Field Ambulance, but he remained with the 28th Battalion as Medical staff in their Regimental Aid Post. Referred to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Jan 1917 with an unknown infection, he was placed on a Ambulance Train on 9 Jan 1917 and transported to the No 11 Stationary Hospital in Rouen. Treated, he was released to the 2nd Convalescent Depot two days later, and on 22 Feb 1917 he was at the Australian General Base Depot in Étaples. In April 1917 he was sent to segregated accommodation at the Base Depot, and appears to remain there until 29 Aug 1917. On 9 Oct 1917 he was well enough to be granted leave until 21 Oct 1917 when he returned to the Base Depot.
On 19 Dec 1917 he was referred to hospital with Neuritis, and the next day evacuated to England on the basis of age and neuritis. Sent to the 2nd Command Depot at Weymouth in England before being transferred to Tidworth on 14 May 1918 where he was part of the Permanent Cadre of No 2 Command Depot. Promoted Temporary Sergeant on 8 Oct 1918, he was to return to Australia as part of the Medical staff on the SS Ormonde, but did not do so, remaining in England instead.
Henry was granted leave from 9 Jun 1919 until 9 Sep 1919 to learn poultry farming, however, his leave was cancelled on 11 Aug 1919 in order that he be discharged in the UK at his own request. Henry was discharged on 11 Oct 1919 in London.
Post War
Initial post war address was 118 Asylum road, Peckham, England.
Notes
Nearest and most likely match for R O'Keefe listed on the Beenup panel of the Armadale War Memorial and the Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour.