Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Keith WEBBER was born in Waikerie, South Australia on the 14th day of March 1919.

In 1941 when he was 22, Keith was conscripted into the Australian Army.
After four months training in Warradale, he served as a Private in the Second 43rd Battalion in combat. He served in New Guinea, Borne and Morotai.

Keith described his six months in New Guinea as ‘hell on earth’. His memories included that they had to walk through chest high water while holding their rifles above their heads, and avoid plants with large spikes that would tear their skin.


At night, they slept in trenches. When it rained, as it often did, they would wake up to their boots and rifles full of water.

Keith served 12 months in the jungles of Borneo, which he said was just as bad as New Guinea!

Despite all of the difficult experiences, including the deaths of nine of his mates, Keith encouraged people to enlist for service as he believed it teaches respect and discipline.

Keith outlived almost all of his 2/43rd colleagues and most of those who served in World War 2.

Keith, at his 100th birthday in 2019, attributed his long life to keeping fit, playing many sports, moderation in his lifestyle – and "a good deal of luck."

The 2/43 battalion colours were brought up specially as a surprise for his Keith's 100th birthday and the occasion of the Waikerie RSLs 100th birthday on 9th March 2019.

Keith was quite emotional to see the unit colours. Holding the edge of the 2/43rd Colours and looking at them quietly for a time, he said they "brought some good memories and some terribly sad memories" back to him, "some vividly", he said.

Keith's family and the Waikerie community are justifiably very proud of Keith partly because of his service but also because of the good, kind and generous, fun, community minded and involved person he was.

Keith's health deteriorated and he passed away peacefully on the 19th May 2019 in the Waikerie Hospital.

Rest in Peace Sir & Thank you.

On the 18th March 2021, RSL President Cheryl Cates, Peter Cates, Bill Denny and other RSL representatives attended the blessing and handover of the 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion regimental flag and head cross to the students of St Aloysius College.

So the 2/43rd colours have been 'laid up' in a ceremony at the St Peters Cathedral and passed into the care and custody of the St Aloysius College students.

LEST WE FORGET.