Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: John Barrett Keegan
Service Number: 3858
Place of Birth: Mt.Gambier
Date of Birth: 17 November 1889
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 27 July 1915
Age at Embarkation: 26
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother – Mrs Elizabeth Keegan, 120 Franklin St. Adelaide
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Roman Catholic
Rank: Private 27th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement Cyclists’ Battalion
West Adelaide Football Club involvement:
John played 50 games for WAFC from 1912 to 1915 and was a member of the 1912 Premiership team. He made his debut on 6 May 1912. The WAFC Annual Reports of 1911 and 1912 highlight his ability both in defence and attack. John won the Most Improved Junior trophy in 1912. (W.T. Kelly History of West Adelaide Football Club page 42.) In 1914 John was the WAFC leading goal kicker and was awarded the Most Improved Player trophy.
Biographical details:
John was the son of James Keegan and Elizabeth Barrett. He did his basic training with C Coy 2nd Depot Battalion at Mitcham Camp from 10 August to 22 September 1915, and with the Engineers Base as a Sapper. He joined the 27th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement on 1 December. His unit embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 7 February 1916. John was sent to France with the Cyclists’ Battalion on 9 July. He was absent without leave and docked pay for 2 days as a penalty. John was treated by the 6th Australian Field Ambulance for a minor illness in July 1918 and was able to rejoin his unit on 10 August. He returned to Australia on the Italia on 4 June and was discharged on 9 September 1919.
After the war, John married and resided at 13 Alexandra Avenue, Rose Park. He died on 11 October 1952, aged 62 and was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, Springbank.
The watch pictured below was presented to John by West Adelaide Football Club upon his enlistment in the 1st A.I.F.

Source: NAA; B2455; Keegan J B; Barcode 7361957. Information courtesy of Luke Jamieson of West Adelaide Football Club History Group.