O'KEEFE, Terrence Charles
| Service Numbers: | SX29831, S29016 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1943, Keswick, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | New Plymouth, New Zealand, 6 August 1907 |
| Home Town: | Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Horseman and boot repairer |
| Died: | Woodville, South Australia , 2 November 1989, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Eastern Niche Wall No 2, Wall & Row HK, Site Number 7 |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jun 1943: | Involvement Private, SX29831 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 1943: | Involvement Private, S29016 | |
| 1 Jun 1943: | Enlisted Keswick, SA | |
| 1 Jun 1943: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX29831 | |
| 12 Sep 1944: | Discharged | |
| 12 Sep 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX29831 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Terrence Charles "Terry" O'Keefe
Born: 6 August 1907, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Died: 2 November 1989, Woodville, South Australia
Age: 82
Disposition: Cremated
Memorial: Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row HK, Site 7, Enfield Memorial Park
Early Life
Terrence Charles O'Keefe was born on 6 August 1907 in New Plymouth, New Zealand, the son of Albert O'Keefe. He later migrated to Australia and settled in South Australia, where he built his adult life around steady employment and family responsibility. His working background was hands-on and practical, with occupations recorded as horseman and boot repairer, trades that later shaped his wartime service.
Marriage & Family
On 15 November 1940, Terrence married Muriel Ella Payne at the Office of the Principal Registrar, Adelaide. The marriage took place on Muriel's 20th birthday.
Groom: 33, bachelor
Bride: 20, spinster
Groom's father: Albert O'Keefe
Bride's father: Alfred Hewitt Payne (deceased)
Together, Terrence and Muriel raised a large family and were parents of eight children, a legacy proudly recorded on his memorial plaque. Known affectionately as "Terry", he was a devoted husband and family man throughout his life.
World War II Service
Terrence served during World War II with the Australian Military Forces, first with the Militia and later the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Service Numbers: S29016 (Militia), SX29831 (AIF)
Rank: Private
Enlisted: 6 September 1940, Keswick, South Australia
Transferred to AIF: 1 June 1943
Discharged: 12 September 1944, Wayville, South Australia
Next of kin: Muriel Ella O'Keefe (wife)
Home address during service: 9A Ship Street, Port Adelaide
His service was largely within South Australia and aligned closely with his civilian skills. He served with auxiliary horse transport and ordnance units, including postings where his trade as a boot repairer was directly utilised. His records show extensive training camp attendance, regular pay, and ongoing family allotments, confirming that he supported his wife and children throughout his service.
Terrence experienced periods of illness and hospitalisation during the war, including sinus and ear conditions, but returned to duty when able. He was honourably discharged in September 1944 with no lasting disciplinary issues.
Later Years & Death
Following his discharge, Terrence returned to civilian life in the Port Adelaide and western suburbs area. In his later years, he resided at Allora Nursing Home, Woodville.
He passed away there on 2 November 1989, aged 82. His death was registered in South Australia and announced in The Advertiser, which referred to him by his familiar name, "Terry."
Terrence was cremated and memorialised at Enfield Memorial Park, where his niche is located near that of his wife, Muriel.
Character & Legacy
Terrence Charles O'Keefe's life reflects that of a working-class husband, father, and serviceman of his generation — steady, practical, and family-centred. His records show a man who balanced the demands of war service with responsibility to his wife and children, leaving behind a large family and a quietly honourable legacy.
Sources
New Zealand Birth Records:
Birth of Terrence Charles O'Keefe, 6 August 1907, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
South Australian Marriage Registration:
O'Keefe, Terrence Charles & Payne, Muriel Ella, 15 November 1940, Office of the Principal Registrar, Adelaide.
Registration: Adelaide District, Book 418 / Page 5837.
Australian Military Forces – World War II Service Records:
Terrence Charles O'Keefe, Private, Service Numbers S29016 (Militia) and SX29831 (Second Australian Imperial Force).
Enlisted 6 September 1940, Keswick, South Australia; transferred to AIF 1 June 1943; discharged 12 September 1944.
National Archives of Australia: NAA B883, S29016 & SX29831.
Camp Attendance, Pay & Allowance Records:
Australian Military Forces camp attendance and pay sheets, 1940–1941, confirming continuous training service and family allotments.
South Australian Death Registration:
O'Keefe, Terrence Charles, 2 November 1989, Allora Nursing Home, Woodville.
Registration: Book 877A / Page 9852.
Newspaper Notice:
The Advertiser (Adelaide), Death Notice for Terrence Charles (Terry) O'Keefe, published 4 November 1989.
Cemetery & Cremation Records:
Cremated and memorialised at Enfield Memorial Park,
Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row HK, Site 7.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 20/1/2026