KEELEY, John Augustine
| Service Numbers: | 1967, WX36311 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 February 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | ALBANY, WA, 7 June 1898 |
| Home Town: | Katanning, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Postal assistant |
| Died: | Perth, Western Australia, 22 June 1981, aged 83 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 1967, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Fremantle | |
| 22 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 1967, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 17 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 11 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 20 May 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, Villers-Bretonneux |
World War 2 Service
| 29 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX36311 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Augustine Keeley was known as ‘Gus’ Keeley and enlisted in early 1915 as an 18-year-old. He served at Gallipoli with the 11th Battalion and, like many others, although evacuated sick for a time, he was there when Anzac was evacuated.
He was transferred to the 51st Battalion during the ‘doubling’ of the AIF in Egypt during early 1916.
He fought in two major attacks at Pozieres, being promoted to Corporal just before the 51st Battalion suffered heavy casualties at Mouquet Farm on 3 September 1916. He was promoted to Sergeant during 1917.
Gus Keeley fought at Villers Bretonneux on Anzac Day 1918, and in that engagement his bravery earned him the Military Medal. After having been injured he continued to advance and use his Lewis gun with such deadly effect as to check strong opposition and make it possible for the infantry to gain their objective. Sergeant Keeley was afterwards detailed to an American force for some time as an instructor, and from there was granted furlough to England.
Sergeant Keeley was also recommended for an American Distinguished Service Medal for his outstanding gallantry and leadership whilst attached to the 108th U.S. Regiment during an assault on 29 September 1918. This award may be made to persons other than members of the Armed Forces of the United States for wartime services only, and then only under exceptional circumstances, with the express approval of the President in each case.
He had three brothers who served Australia overseas during WW1, 324 Sergeant Wilfred Joseph Keeley M.M., 28th Battalion AIF, Lieutenant William Aloysius Keeley 11th Battalion and 6845 Private Bernard Grover Keeley 2nd Machine Battalion. All of them were very distinguished soldiers. They were the sons of John and Ellen Keeley, well known long term residents of Katanning, Western Australia.
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