Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Researched and written by  Larna Malone

Keith George Woodham was born in Dunolly, Vic., on June 4th, 1900, the son of William Joseph Woodham and Elizabeth (Bessie) Janet Anderson.   By 1908 the family had moved to Mildura.   William Joseph Woodham worked as a Saddler and was a well known public figure, as Mayor of Dunolly and then as a member of the Mildura City Council.

When Keith George Woodham was 15 years old his elder brother, Charles William Woodham, enlisted in the AIF.   Charles William was wounded in action in December, 1916, and RTA where he was Discharged as Medically Unfit in December, 1917.   The return of his brother possibly fueled Keith's determination to "do his bit" and he attempted to enlist in March, 1918, altering his date of birth to March, 1900.   The Receiving Depot wrote to his father requesting verification of age after which his Enlistment was cancelled "under age".

Keith enlisted again on the day of his 18th birthday, 4th June, 1918.   He stated his occupation as Electrician and that he had been apprenticed to the Shire Council in Mildura.   Both parents signed his application form signifying their consent and a Statutory Declaration was presented as proof of his date of birth.   He was accepted for service, but because he was under the age of 18 1/2  was not permitted to enter camp.   Permission was later granted for him to enter camp on condition that he was only to be employed on guard duties until he reached that age.   He entered the Recruit Depot at Broadmeadows where he remained until he was Discharged on 24 December, 1918.

Keith George Woodham enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 13 August, 1940.   In an attempt to lower his age he stated his age to be 4th June, 1905.   He was appointed to the 2/23rd Battalion as a Private and allotted Service No. VX 38623.   His younger brother, Lawrence 'Neil' Woodham, also enlisted for service.   Their mother, Elizabeth (Bessie) Janet Woodham, died in November, 1940. 

Keith embarked with the 2/23rd Battalion for North Africa and participated in the Defence of Tobruk in 1941.   He was Wounded in Action, one of the early casualties.   The Unit War Diary of 5th April, 1941, records that they sustained five casualties as the result of enemy action.   A later reference describes this action as "dive machine-gunning attacks".  [AWM 52  Item8/3/23/4 - April 1941]

A report published by The Argus on 23rd June, 1941, states that he had lost a leg when his unit was machine-gunned from the air when withdrawing from Derna.

He returned to Australia in June, 1941, and was Discharged from the AIF on 31 January, 1942.   In the same year he married Mary Josephine Evans.

Keith George Woodham was still determined to serve his country and, on 1st June, 1943, he enlisted in the RAAF, and was allotted Service No. 142346.   He attained the rank of Leading Aircraftman and was posted at 1 Wing ATC Hqrs when he was Discharged on 12th April, 1946. 

He Died on 12 April, 1963, aged 62 years, and was Buried in the Nicols Point Cemetery in Mildura.