Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Keith was the eldest son born to George Thomas and Beatrice Myrtle Player on the 25th October 1907 at Warooka, a township near the tip of the Yorke Peninsula. He had three siblings included a sister, Audrey and two brothers, George Clive (Clive) and Milton Stanford.
His father George was a farmer, and active on the local council which, post WWI was energetic in fund raising for a Memorial Hall. 19-year-old Keith was one of two secretaries who helped coordinate an athletic sports meeting at Warooka which would be followed by an evening concert in March ’26. The day was a huge success with competitions between the runners a feature, as were the stalls adding to the afternoon’s successful fundraising. The Minlaton Glee Club rounded out the evening with dancing and contributing to both the financial and social success.
The Taheny and Player families often served on committees together, being known for their exceptional work ethic. This was also the case with the local Coursing Club where both parents held senior roles as Patron and President with Keith being on the committee and also having the role of Fine Steward and being on the Social Committee. Keith also captained the Warooka Tennis team, having the privilege of winning the inaugural Association Shield in 1930. Following that win in the Lower Yorke Peninsula B Grade Association's finals was a successful evening function. Visitors were present from Pt. Vincent. Minlaton, Edithburgh, Yorketown and Brentwood. In his acceptance speech reported in the Pioneer, ‘Mr. Player said this was the first time for 15 years that Warooka had had a team in any association and they naturally felt very elated at coming out on top. It was worth noting that two of their present members were members of the team which took part in matches 13 years ago.’ Coincidentally a certain Miss H Taheny was the pianist at the evening’s celebratory dance supper held that evening. It was not unexpected that Keith eventually proposed to Helena Taheny in August ’40.
With the outbreak of WWII, the two brothers, Keith and Clive decided to enlist on the same day, 15th July, 1940, and were allocated sequential numbers, Clive being SX8903 and Keith SX8904. 33-year-old Keith was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion and Clive to the 8th division Ammunition Motor Transport Company. Keith was initially at Wayville where the current Showgrounds now stand. From there, his battalion moved to Woodside in the Adelaide foothills for their preliminary training.
By the end of November ’40 both of the young brothers had motored back to Warooka with Keith being granted special leave to help his father with the harvest. The local Pioneer reported that while home on leave Warooka was pleased to welcome home for the weekend several of its A.I.F. members — Keith and Clive Player, Bob Lampard SX8924, Dean Liddicoat SX8516 2/48th, Douglass Holmes SX8942 and Harold Miller S212902 spending their few hours of leave with their families.
Returning to the 2/48th the Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the troops completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. From there, Keith was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Home on leave in March ’41, a large crowd gathered in the Warooka Memorial Hall to honor their young men who had enlisted. Two of these were in the 2/48th Battalion with Private Keith Player. They were Privates Les Feehan SX11118 and Dean Liddicoat SX8516, as well as Len Barrett SX17200 2/9th. On behalf of the District Council, the Chairman praised the men for their decision to enlist and for their fine characters. This was followed by the usual presentation of a purse containing money to each soldier. The Tennis Club also made a presentation to Keith, Les and Len. Following a recitation, dancing was enjoyed by all present.
Keith served in the 2/48th with Vincent McGahan SX6775 with whom he formed a close bond. However, in the fierce fighting for Trig 29 33-year-old Vincent was killed in action in Egypt on the 31st October, ’42. At that time, the 9th Battalion was ordered to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.
In his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John Glenn describes that time “which was to be the most bitter and bloody fighting of the war. When next the sun drove away those shadows from the desert, death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant men. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.” He continued: “At zero hour, 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between the troops and the guns… Added to this, the troops came under heavy shell fire as they were forming up, and suffered casualties before they commenced their attack… One gun was landing shells right amongst the men. As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and from then until they reached their objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.”
“Casualties were mounting among the headquarters personnel. Corporal Bill Cashen and Private Murray Nicholson of the orderly room staff, Sergeant Lindsay Goode and Corporal Tas Scutt of the signals, and Private Vin McGahan had all been killed.” Glenn’s final summing up was ‘Truly it can be said of these men, “They fought themselves and their enemy to a standstill until flesh and blood could stand no more, then they went on fighting.” In added high praise about those who tended the wounded and collected those killed in action “It says much for them that not one man was missing in their search over the four thousand yards from Trig 29 to the Blockhouse, or in the attack of 3,600 yards to Ring Contour 25.” An horrific battle for the proud and very brave 2/48th Battalion.
Keith survived the siege but so many of the 2/48th Battalion were killed, however certainly not forgotten. Keith and fellow soldiers from the 2/48th including Private Peter McGowan, SX15852 who lived in Glenelg and Jack Cox SX20672 placed tributes to their fallen friend. In October ’44 Keith placed ‘A tribute to the memory of officers and men of the 2/48th Battalion, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein, especially remembering my pals of 14 pltn., C Coy.—Keith Player 2/48th Btn’ in the Advertiser.
With the fighting in the Middle East behind him, Keith and his fellow local servicemen returned home for a brief period of leave in March of ’43, with Keith being discharged in April ‘43. However soon the news was announced that Keith’s younger brother, Clive, who served with the Motor Transport Company, was one of a number ‘previously reported missing in Malaya, is now a prisoner in Borneo.’ Clive’s name and those of four other soldiers in a similar situation were published in the Advertiser of April ’43. However, the hopes of their families were raised when a note arrived from Clive and was published in the Advertiser of September ’44 that ‘Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Player, Warooka, from their son Clive, in Borneo. He is in good health and wished to be remembered to all friends.’ Similar cards were received by other families whose sons were also being held as prisoners.

The following year his parents received the devastating news that their second son, 25 year old Clive, had died as a Prisoner of War in camp on June 7th ’45. Post war, more details emerged that Clive was one of over 2,000 Allied prisoners taken from Singapore to be held in the north of Borneo at Sandakan.
Each year Keith and his family continued to remember their son and brother:
Pioneer Friday 30 November 1945, SX8903 PLAYER, Pte.G.C.—With loved memories of our dear son and brother, Clive, who passed away in POW Camp in Borneo on June 7, 1945. One of God's best —Ever remembered by Father, Mother, Keith, Audrey and Milton.
Pioneer Friday 7 June 1946, PLAYER, G. C.— In loving memory of Clive, died whilst P.O.W. on June 7th, 1945. In silence we remember — Always remembered by Keith and Nell PLAYER.
Advertiser Friday 7 June 1946, PLAYER. G. C—ln loving memory of Clive, died whilst P O.W. on June 7. 1945. In silence we remember. —Always remembered by Keith and Nell.
Advertiser Saturday 7 June 1947, PLAYER, G. G.—ln loving memory of our brother Clive. died. P.O.W., June 7, 1945—Keith and Nellie.

In civilian life, Clive took up leadership roles and again was fully involved in the tennis club. At a fund-raising dance in 1950 he acted as Master of Ceremonies, presenting the trophies to the winning players of the season in each of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s grades.
Keith died aged 66 on the 14th February, 1974. A plaque commemorating his service is in the Warooka Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.