Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Major John Keating Paul, was a career soldier. Born in London in 1864, he studied at the Royal Military Academy before joining the 2nd Battalion, Sussex Regiment. With this regiment he served in Egypt and the Sudan, and on the north-west Indian frontier. He emigrated to Australia in about 1890, and served in the colonial garrison artillery in Victoria. He volunteered for service in the Boer War and served as Company Quartermaster Sergeant of the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles. He rejoined the Garrison Artillery after the war, and saw service at Geelong, Thursday Island, Sydney and Queenscliff, before being posted as Master Gunner at Fort Largs in Adelaide. In August 1915, shortly before his 51st birthday, Paul enlisted in the AIF. He was assigned as a captain and adjutant to 32 Battalion, AIF, and sailed for overseas service from Adelaide on 2 November 1915 aboard HMAT Geelong. After training in Egypt Paul transferred to the 105th Battery of 22 Howitzer Brigade in March 1916. In France, he transferred to 5 Field Artillery Brigade, before moving again in October 1916 to 2 Division Artillery. He was promoted to major in January 1917. In July he returned Australia, suffering from debility, and his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 2 November 1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and was mentioned in despatches for his wartime service. Paul returned to peacetime military service in South Australia. In 1921 he was appointed adjutant of 13 Australian Field Artillery Brigade in Adelaide. He eventually retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. John and Nora Paul's sons: Lieutenant John Charles Paul, of 8 Battalion, AIF, was killed in action at the Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915; and Captain Henry Keating Brook Paul, of 27 Battalion, AIF, who survived the war.