Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”

Terence Keating was born at Newtown Butler, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland on 29th December, 1888 to parents Hugh & Roseanna Keating (nee Reilly). (Terence Keating listed his place of birth as Cavan, Ireland on his Attestation Papers)

According to information supplied by his father for the Roll of Honour – Terence Keating came to Australia when he was 30 years old. He was a Farm Labourer & was a Stone Worker in Brisbane, Queensland. A “Terence Keating” aged 25, was listed as a passenger on Paparoa, arriving in Queensland, Australia in 1914.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 4th September, 1915 as a 25 year old, single, Labourer from care of A. E. Simpson, Alderley, Enoggera, Queensland.

Private Terence Keating, Service number 3833, embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT Wandilla (A62) on  31st January, 1916 with the 7th Infantry Brigade, 26th Infantry Battalion, 9th Reinforcements.

On 2nd April, 1916 Private Keating was allotted & proceeded to join 50th Battalion from Heliopolis. He joined 52nd Battalion at Serapeum on the same day. 

He reported sick to Hospital on 24th May, 1916. He rejoined his Unit at Railhead on 28th May, 1916. (Note: “Hospital” is the generic term used – he may have been admitted to a Field Ambulance, Casualty Clearing Station or Dressing Station – not necessarily a “hospital”)

On 5th June, 1916 Private Keating proceeded from Alexandria on H.T. Ivernia to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 12th June, 1916.

He was written up for a Crime – when on active service he was absent without leave from 8.30 pm on 13th July, 1916 to 10 am on 14th July, 1916 at Hallay Les Pernois. He was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No. 2 & forfeited a total of 16 days’ pay.

Private Terence Keating was wounded in action in France on 3-4th September, 1916 (date as per Casualty Form – Active Service). He was admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance on 3rd September, 1916 with G.S.W. (gunshot wounds) to both Legs then transferred to Casualty Clearing Station. Private Keating was transferred & admitted to 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, France on 5th September, 1916 with G.S.W. to Legs. He embarked from Boulogne on 5th September, 1916 for England on Hospital Ship Jan Breydel.

On 6th September, 1916 Private Keating was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England with shrapnel wounds to Legs & Knee. He was reported to be seriously ill on 7th September, 1916.

Private Terence Keating died on 10th September, 1916 at 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England from wounds received in action in France – Gunshot wounds to both Legs & Septicaemia.

He was buried on 14th September, 1916 in Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, London, England – Block 19 Grave No.30. This is now recorded by Commonwealth War Graves Commission as Plot number Aust. 6 and he now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

The Red Cross Wounded & Missing file for Terence Keating contains a request from the Red Cross on behalf of the relatives in Brisbane to find any details of his death & burial.

Edith Holden, Matron, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth wrote the following letter: “Pte Keating was only in Hospital about a week. He had both his legs amputated while he was here and only lived a few days after the second operation. He was buried in the Cemetery at Wandsworth. Pte Keating’s brother came to see the Sister in Charge of the Ward he was in, so that his near relatives have had all particulars of his illness and death.”
 

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/wandsworth-earlsfield.html