Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick Oscar Kelloway was born on 17th March 1893, the fifth son and seventh child of Stephen Jr and Prudence.

Frederick, better known as Fred, attended primary school at Westbrook (Mount Hunter) School and then senior classes at Camden Public School. Upon completing his education, Frederick commenced his occupation as a labourer, before securing a position at the Camden Train Station.

In 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, World War I, also known as the Great War, began. Australia was drawn into the conflict as a dominion of the British Empire. Australian men were ‘called to arms’ to enlist and join the fight overseas. The prospect of adventure and excitement enticed
the young men of Camden. Frederick Oscar Kelloway enlisted on 10th October 1915, to serve in the 19th Battalion A.I.F. At 22, Frederick was among more than 330,000 Australians who volunteered to serve overseas in World War I
between 1914 and 1918.

As with all recruits, Fred underwent a thorough medical examination. On his ‘Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force’, the Examining Medical Officer stated that Fred was ‘Fit for active service’, noting ‘conditional teeth’, implying some dental issues. Further details noted on his application include his
height of 6 feet, weight of 156 lbs, 37.5 inch chest, ‘fair’ complexion, ‘brown - good’ eyes and ‘brown’ hair.

Fred commenced training in Australia, before departing Sydney on the troopship ‘His Majesty’s Australian Transport’ (HMAT) Berrima on 12th December 1915. HMAT Berrima was one of many ships requisitioned by the government for transporting troops for wartime service.

During his journey at sea, Fred wrote the following letter to his younger sister Millie:

At Sea

My Dear Sister,
No doubt you will be wondering what has become of me and in what part of the world I am. Well, at the time of writing we are still at sea, but I am unable to give further particulars, as to where and what part we are in.
How is Mother and Father getting on? I do hope they are still enjoying the best of health, as I am pleased to say I am enjoying good health myself. I suppose you have received a couple of pays by this time. If you have not, it is just about time they sent some along. I hope you did not have any trouble in getting it at the P.O. [post office]. It should have been sent to Mt Hunter, but you will have to go to Camden to get it changed.
Well Millie I suppose you had a fairly good time at Christmas and New Years holidays. Did Will come home for the holidays? I suppose he said a few things because I did not either write to him or go and see him before I sailed.
How did the sports at Mt Hunter on Boxing Day come off? I suppose they was as dry as usual, and the crowd was as big as they usually are.
My word Millie I could do with a few papers now and again as I have not had any news from home since we sailed and I can tell you, anything in the way of newspapers or magazines will come in very handy.
How are the boys around Camden enlisting? Are they still rolling up as good as they were when I left? Has Jim Fisher [surname unconfirmed] sailed yet? I suppose Will has not got over his complaint yet? I am not allowed to say anything
about the trip, so I think I shall have to bring this to a close as time is very scarce. We had a fairly good time in W.A. while we were there.
Well dear sister I must say goodbye for the present. Please remember me to all the people around there and do not forget to write at least
twice per month.
With best love to all at home from your loving brother,
Fred

During Fred’s time abroad, he sent many beautiful postcards to his family, which they continue to cherish today.