Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Keith was born on the 17th November, 1920 at Minlaton, a grain and sheep farming area on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia. He was the foster son of the local carter, Arthur Edward and Emily Stagbouer. Keith attended the local Minlaton School, where, as a 14-year-old, he was awarded a prize in woodwork. Post school Keith became a shop assistant and was also part of the Militia in the 9/23rd Light Horse from the age of 18, as 307376 from January ‘39 before the outbreak of WWII. He was then discharged to enlist in April, ’41, aged 20, to become SX12157 with the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Keith was good friends with Frank Leverett from nearby Port Victoria who also enlisted (in July ’40) and was similarly allocated to the 2/48th Battalion as SX7329. Keith was quickly sent to the Middle East.
Within six months of enlisting, Keith was killed just nine days after his 21st birthday, on the 26th October 1942. John Glenn in his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the situation that Keith and his fellow Rats faced. ‘Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.’
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’ He added:
‘Death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant man. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty one weary troops would remain in the field.’ Ron was one. Then ‘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 troops and the guns…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 the objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand to hand fighting.’ It was under these conditions that Keith received his fatal wounds.
Back home soon after, the Chronicle listed those who had been killed in action with Keith. They included 24-year-old SX9128 Pte Jack D Clark, 2/24th, Seven Hills; 34-year-old SX7246 Pte. Gordon Franklin, 2/24th Kimba; 27-year-old SX12363 Pte. Ron Jackson SX6963 2/48th Melrose: 26 year old SX7506 Pte. Ernest N. Parkyn, 2/48th Murray Bridge; 22 year old SX2139 Pte. Harry Pearce, 2/48th Watervale; and his brother 30 year old SX7239 Pte. Phillip Pearce. 2/48th Watervale: 21-year-old SX12157 Pte. Eric K. Stagbouer, 2/48th Maitland: 29-year-old SX7987 Pte. Douglas Whyte. 2/48th Joslin. These were the cream of Australia’s young men.
The Advertiser also announced Keith’s death in November: ‘Pte. Keith Stagbouer, who was killed in action in Egypt on October 25-26, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Stagboeur, of Maitland.

His 62-year-old father Arthur, died just over a month later, on the 2nd December. A service for him was held in the St John’s Church before he was buried in the local Maitland Cemetery. Both he and Keith are remembered on their cenotaph with the poignant inscription ‘Not just today but every day in silence I remember. Father and Son re-united. R.I.P.’ His widowed mother, Emily, lived to be 87 and died on June 18th 1976.
Initially Keith was buried in the El Alamein British Military Cemetery with Private George Haywood, SX8587, L/Cpl Charles Holman SX13570 and Sergeant Charles Plummer SX7375. Keith was re-interred in the El Alamein War Cemetery on the 15th April 1943 in Plot XVI Row G Grave 14. He rests with 38-year-old SX7575 Sergeant Charles Plummer, 28-year-old SX13570 L/Cpl Charles Holman and 25-year-old SX8587 Private George Haywood all from the 2/48th Battalion as well as others from the 2/7th, 2/23rd and 2/24th Battalions. Keith’s mother chose the inscription ‘Not just today but every day, in silence we remember’ for his headstone.
Frank Leverett from Port Victoria, of a similar age to Keith, survived the war and was able to return home in November ’45. He continued to remember Keith each year as did close friend, Jim Quinn and Keith’s widowed mother.
Advertiser Wednesday 25 November 1942, ‘STAGBOUER. —Killed in action, Egypt on 25-26th October, Private Keith Stagbouer, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Stagbouer, of Maitland. Aged 22 years. His duty nobly done.’
Advertiser Tuesday 26 October 1943, STAGBOUER A tribute to my pal, Keith. killed in action. El Alamein. Oct. 26. 1942. His duty nobly done. —Ever I remembered by his old pal. Frank Leverett (AIF.) STAGBOUER.—In loving memory of my dear son. Keith, killed in action at El Alamein October 26 1942. Memories are treasures no one can steal: death leaves a wound nothing can heal. - Sadly missed by his mother.
Advertiser Friday 27 October 1944, STAGBOUER. —In memory of my dear friend, Keith, killed in action. El Alamein, October 1942. Time drift on two years have passed, but memories of you will always last. —Inserted by pal, Jim Quinn. STAGBOUER.—In loving memory of Keith, killed in action, October 26, 1942, at El Alamein. Deep in my heart there's a memory of one I'll never forget.—Sadly missed by his mother. STAGBOUER.—In memory of my pal Keith, killed in action El Alamein, October, 1942. A thought for today, a memory forever.—Inserted by Frank Leverett, 2/48th Battalion.
Advertiser Saturday 27 October 1945, STAGBOUER.—In fond remembrance of my pal Keith, killed in action, El Alamein, October 26, 1942. There is a road called Remembrance, where thoughts and wishes meet. I take that road in thought today, to one I cannot greet. —Always remembered by his pal Jim Quinn.
Advertiser Friday 26 October 1951, STAGBOUER.— In loving memory of Jock, killed In action. El Alamein. 1942.— Sadly missed by his pal Jim.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.