Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Keith Edward Tamke

Keith was the second son of Gustave and Gertrude Tamke, born in the Barossa town of Angaston on the 9th June 1918. Their father had healthy crops of fruit trees at their Lights Pass property where he specialised in producing prunes. The other boys were Rex (deceased), Frank, Rodney, Darcy and Kevin; the girls Roma and Carmen (Dolly). As did all his siblings, Keith attended the local Angaston school, playing football and cricket for the local team and being involved in Scouts. These same friends helped Keith celebrate his 21st Birthday with a variety of gifts, congratulations, speeches, music, singing, dancing and games. The evening concluded with a typical country supper. By November of that year, his older brother Frank had been one of the first to enlist from Angaston and given a rousing farewell.

Four months later, Keith enlisted on the 9th April 1940 in Adelaide to become Private SX2325. He also was given a farewell and presentation by the community and being praised for upholding the family traditions by also enlisting.  Additionally, he was given an impromptu farewell by his Nuriootpa Football Club, where he was again given a presentation as a token of the club's appreciation of services rendered to the team by Keith. This was then followed by a large community social in the Angaston Institute. (Keith explained that he considered Angaston as his hometown, so asked that the social be held there so the Nuriootpa and district citizens co-operated in the evening and arrangements.) The District Chairman led Keith into the hall, followed by his father, sister and brother, Darcy and Roma. A formal welcome was made to Keith and the Nuriootpa visitors, followed by a rousing rendition of the National anthem.  The Tamke family was praised for maintaining traditions by enlisting and was wished a safe and speedy return. A reminder was made that Keith's grandmother, had three sons in the last war; all of whom safely returned. She now had three grandsons in the A.I.F., (Frank and Keith) and one the navy (Darcy). This theme was taken up by a church representative who commented that “The young men of to-day, were worthily upholding traditions of 1914-18, and at each Tuesday's prayer meeting the welfare of these men was in their prayers as well as in their hearts.” The R. S-A. vice-president commented that Lights Pass (Keith’s hometown) appreciated this district farewell and had arranged for a local one at Lights Pass later in the week.  He added that he was sure the 2nd A.I. F. would worthily follow the first; in fact, the navy was already showing that Australians had not slipped back since the last war.

More speeches from sporting clubs followed. The Nuriootpa Football Club praised Keith for being a reliable, steady man in the team who set a fine example to younger players. Players like Keith had enabled the Club to maintain a team in recent difficult years. They all hoped the war would soon be won and that these boys would be able to safely return to fill their places in the community. The Captain of the Nuriootpa Cricket Club added that Keith had always done his best. As an employee and a sportsman, he had been keen and reliable; and the club joined in best wishes for good luck and a safe return. Keith was then presented with the Comforts Group parcel, and an engraved gold pencil from the local citizens. With formalities over, singing and supper was enjoyed.

By the end of July, Keith was on the Nuriootpa train for Adelaide and being farewelled by Lights Pass residents, who presented him with an inscribed safety razor and the community's good wishes.

Frank experienced some challenging times while he served. In a respite from fighting in New Guinea, the two army brothers, Keith and Frank spent precious leave with their family in 1944.  He was particularly devastated in September 1944 to receive news of an horrific freak accident at home. Keith’s youngest brother, Kevin was fatally injured when struck by a cricket ball. The community was distraught with his fellow classmates forming a guard of honour for Kevin.

Keith was discharged on the 27th November 1945 and by January had announced his engagement to Betty Bullock from Melbourne. They married in September of the same year at St. Jude’s Church, Melbourne. They welcomed the arrival of their first son in January 1947 and daughter Joan Marion in November 1949. Sadly, his father, Gustave enjoyed having his sons return from the conflict and particularly being a grandparent for a short while, but he died in September 1950, aged just 62. A year later, Keith and Betty welcomed their second son in September of 1951.

The extended family continued to remember their three young sons and brothers; Leader (Angaston, SA : 1918 - 1954), Thursday 19 September 1946, In loving memory of Kevin, who died on September 22, 1944; aged 12 years. There is a road called remembrance, where thoughts and wishes meet. We take that road to-day to a son we cannot greet. United with his brothers Rex and Rodney. Sadly missed by his loving parents, brothers and sisters.

Keith died just prior to his 74th birthday on the 9th May 1992 and is buried at Angaston Cemetery with his parents and older brother Frank.

Researched and submitted by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.