KEATING, James
| Service Number: | 5735 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Northampton, Western Australia, Australia, 1895 |
| Home Town: | Geraldton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carter |
| Died: | 1956, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Geraldton City Band Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5735, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 5735, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Bee embarkation_ship_number: A48 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 5735, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Seang Bee, Fremantle |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
James Keating’s father had passed away in 1899 when he was only 4 years of age. He and his 7 brothers and sisters were raised by their mother Mary Ann Keating. Three of the Keating boys enlisted, and he was only one who returned home. He was returned home for “family reasons”, due to his two brothers being killed in action. This action was approved by the GOC AIF, Sir William Birdwood.
James was only 5 feet 2 inches tall, (157cm) and 52kg when he enlisted at the age of 20.
His application to return home was written by himself during January 1918, addressed to the CO 16th Battalion, “I was awarded the Military Medal on 26 August 1917. Owing to the death in action of my two elder brothers on 20/7/1916 and 8/10/1917 whilst serving with the 32nd Battalion AIF and 11th Battalion AIF, I am now the sole support of my widowed mother and baby girl of the age of four years.
The allotment of 3 shillings per day of my pay is insufficient to support them. My mother resides at Fitzgerald Street, Geraldton, W.A.
I am Sir, yours obediently, 5735 J. Keating M.M."
This letter was forwarded and recommended by the CO 16th Bn, CO 4th Brigade, CO 4th Division etc. and after evidence that Keating’s brothers had been killed, eventually approved by the GOC AIF.
James was ordered to return home and left England 12 March 1918.
No recommendation exists for his MM award, but it thought to be for actions near Messines during June, July 1917.
His two brothers were, 974 Pte William Keating, 32nd Battalion AIF, killed in action at Fromelles on 20 July 1916, aged 24 and 6068 Pte Thomas Keating, 11th Battalion AIF, killed in action in Belgium 7 October 1917, aged 20.
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