Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biography

Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1, C Verco, A Summers, T Swain & M Jelly. July 1914

Additional Biography
Early Life
Leslie James (Jim) Keipert was born of the 16th May 1995 to Henry John Keipert and Esther Louisa Harry, at Laura, SA. He was one of eight children. Henry Keipert was the manager of the iron foundry of Messrs, T. Forsaith & Co, Laura for about seven years then he entered business on his own account.

Schooling

Jim commenced his schooling at Laura Public School and was in Fourth Class in 1905. He performed in the Public-School Concert in 1906 and competed in the Under 12’s at the Laura Show. Jim passed his Primary Examinations in 1908 and was awarded an exhibition to High School. Jim played football for the Laura Ramblers Junior team in 1909 and passed his Junior Examinations in six subjects that year. Jim passed his Senior Examinations, coming 24th on the honours list, in 1911.

Jim completed his final year of schooling at Adelaide High School. He played football for the Present Team in the
Past v Present match in August 1912 and passed his Higher Public Examination coming 5th in the honours list.

University

Jim commenced studying medicine at Adelaide University in 1913 and passed his first year with 1st class honours. He passed his final year of medicine in November 1918.

University Sport

Jim played a football for Laura in a match in early June 1915, he also played B Grade football for Adelaide University in 1915.

World War I

Jim enlisted on the 18th June 1818 (under M.O. 210 of 25 May 1918, AIF Standing Order 4.a.) and was still in Australia when hostilities ceased. His appointment in the AIF was not terminated until 6th August 1919.

Career & Family Life

In 1919 Jim commenced practice at Ardrossan on Yorke Peninsula, SA and he married Annie Charlotte (Juddy) Browning at St John’s Church, Maitland on the 15th September 1919.

While at Ardrossan, Jim played cricket for the local club and Jim and Juddy’s daughter Lesley Yvonne Keipert was born on the 20th June 1920. By November 1920 the family had moved to Freeling where Jim played tennis for the local team. In February 1922, while at Freeling, Jim purchased a 23.8 Dodge.

Jim purchased a practice at Rupauyup near Horsham, Victoria in mid 1922 and his son James Ashton Keipert was born at Stawell, Victoria on the 31st December 1922. Once again, Jim joined the local tennis team and was president of the club in 1926. While at Rupauyup Jim also took up golf.

In 1925 Jim’s father died at Fullarton, aged 72, having been a resident of Laura, SA for over 47 years. Jim’s mother died six years later in 1931.

In September 1934 the family spent the School Holidays at the Royal Terminus Hotel, Brighton Beach, Victoria. In April 1941 daughter, Lesley, was awarded her Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne. Lesley later married Edward Elsdon Murray Falloon, a dentist, and had at least two children.

Death

Tragically on the 8th March 1942 at Hamilton Russell House, of Rupanyun (near Horsham), Leslie James Keipert aged 46 years. Juddy died on 18 Mar 1967 at Armadale, Victoria having been a widow for 25 years.

Legacy

Jim and Juddy’s son, James, was undertaking studies in medicine when his father died. James’ MB BS from the University of Melbourne was conferred in March 1945 and James served some of his early medical career at Horsham before becoming a renowned paediatrician and dermatologist at the Melbourne Children’s Hospital and elsewhere (see document).

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.