Frank Richard KEENAN MM

Frank Richard KEENAN MM Update Details

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KEENAN, Frank Richard

Service Number:	1206
Enlisted:	18 January 1915, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
Last Rank:	Lance Corporal
Last Unit:	2nd Divisional Signal Company
Born:	Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 1889
Home Town:	Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Electrician
Died:	Heidleberg, Victoria, Australia, 1975, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Cremation service was held on the 22 January 1975 and interred on the Banksia area, Wall H, Niche 855
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

18 Jan 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 1206, 2nd Field Company Engineers, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
28 Jun 1915:	Involvement Sapper, 1206, 2nd Field Company Engineers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''
28 Jun 1915:	Embarked Sapper, 1206, 2nd Field Company Engineers, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne
10 Mar 1916:	Transferred AIF WW1, Sapper, 8th Field Company Engineers, From the 2nd Field company Engineers
21 May 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 8th Field Company Engineers
3 Nov 1916:	Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1206, 8th Field Company Engineers, Wound to the right arm
9 Sep 1917:	Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1st Australian Wireless Squadron, From 8th Field Company Engineers
3 Mar 1918:	Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, From the 1st ANZAC Wireless Squadron
27 Apr 1918:	Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 2nd Divisional Signal Company
8 Aug 1918:	Honoured Military Medal, Citation reads: This N.C.O. was in charge of the wireless communications of the left attacking Brigade on the morning of the 8th August, 1918, North East of Villers-Bretonneux, near Ammmiens. After leading his parties to the objectives through a heavy machine gun barrage, he several times returned and guided parties of attacking Infantry who were lost in the mist. In addition to his own duties, he assisted other formations in setting up their stations and getting in communication. He displayed the greatest coolness and a disregard of danger of the highest possible value. During the following days of the attack, this N.C.O. displayed great leadership and devotion to duty, working continuously for three days and nights without rest. It was mainly due to the efforts of this Non-Commissioned-Officer that the wireless communications of the Division were uninterrupted during the three critical days of the operation. London Gazette on 11 February 1919, page 2143, position 32 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 June 1919, page 1015, position 51
22 Dec 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1206, 2nd Divisional Signal Company, Discharged at the 3rd Military District

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Biography contributed by Carol Foster

Correct name is Francis Richard Keenan record number 12670

Son of Edward Thomas Keenan and Elizabeth Joan Keenan nee Morgan of 232 Bellarine Street, Geelong, Victoria

Served his electrical apprenticeship with the Melbourne Electricity Supply, Geelong, Victoria

Commenced return to Australia on 8 April 1919 aboard SS Traz Os M disembarking on the 22 May 1919

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

During 1920 Frank married Brice Byrd in Victoria

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