| Regimental number | 4528 |
| Place of birth | Maryanna, Richmond River, New South Wales |
| School | Public School |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | 393 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Height | 5' 10.5" |
| Weight | 131 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, R Keats, Beith Street, Railway Heights, Casino, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in the Cadets. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 13th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/30/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | 'The above soldier was a descendant of Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, G.C.B. Governer of the Royal Hospital Greenwich and a great grandson of Colonel Davonport.' (details from father) |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 21.3 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 10), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 159 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Richard and Eliza Jane KEATS, Casino, New South Wales. Native of Richmond |
| Family/military connections | Cousin: killed in action. One brother and nine relations taking part. One Victorian Keats winning the Military Cross and gaining distinction. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Sydney, 16 February 1916; disembarked Egypt, 22 March 1916. Joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 1 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. Previous report of missing, now, 28 July 1916, to be reported as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Note, Red Cross File No 14804070: 'No trace Germany[.] Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.' Statement, 4753 Pte J. COATES, B Company, 54th Bn (patient, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England), 19 July 1917: 'I saw him hit with shrapnel in the back, was in great pain and could not get stretcher bearers. Casualty near Fleurbaix 19th July 1916. Knew him very well. Ground was lost. Next morning we returned over the ground to our lines and saw no trace of him. Don't know if he was buried.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, KEATS Prosper Goodwin
Red Cross file 1480407 |
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Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
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