FITZPATRICK, Keith Douglas
| Service Numbers: | QX25292, 1487 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 November 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/25th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Milu, Queensland, Australia, 16 July 1920 |
| Home Town: | Coorparoo, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Natural causes, place of death not yet discovered, date not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 28 Nov 1941: | Involvement QX25292, also 1487 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Nov 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, 1487, Army Training Units, Consripted initially into the Militia later to the 2nd AIF, QX25292 | |
| 28 Nov 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 28 Nov 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, 1487, 2nd/25th Infantry Battalion | |
| 11 Apr 1946: | Discharged | |
| 11 Apr 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, 1487, 2nd/25th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Tim Hanna
From the Office of Fiona Simpson MP
This week I was sadly notified that Kokoda Veteran, Keith Fitzpatrick, had passed away at 101 years of age.
Keith was a proud Queenslander with a life was marked by service, dedication, and community spirit.
After leaving school, he worked as a Jackaroo in Central Queensland before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on November 28, 1941, underage and using his brother's birth certificate. Keith was posted to the 2/25th Battalion which lead him to two tours of New Guinea, where he spent a total of 359 days fighting alongside fellow soldiers.
Amongst the tragedy of war, he celebrated his 19th birthday on Imata Ridge, amidst the chaos of artillery exchanges, and his 20th birthday in Lae, the day after its recapture from Japanese forces.
Following the war, Keith continued his military service in the Australian Regular Army until his retirement on 10 November 1967. His distinguished career included service with the British Commonwealth Force in Japan and participation in the Coronation Contingent aboard HMAS Sydney in 1955, marking the coronation of Queen Elizabeth Il.
One of his final postings before retiring was as Regimental Sergeant Major, where he trained National Servicemen for service in Vietnam.
Keith was one of the driving forces that established the Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub-Branch as well as being an active advocate for the War Widows Inc.
Keith's life is a testament to service, resilience, and community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Vale Keith Fitzpatrick
1923-2025
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