The AIF Project

Arthur Ernest KEEN

Regimental number745
Date of birth28 October 1900
Place of birthAshfield, New South Wales
Other NamesKaiser, Arthur Conrad (from Roll of Honour records)
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 11"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinFather, D Keen, 27 Kaston Avenue, Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed in the Militia for 2 years.
Enlistment date14 September 1914
Place of enlistmentRoseberry Park, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name13th Battalion, G Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/30/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board TRANSPORT A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914
Rank from Nominal RollGunner
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 23 September 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance
Discharge date26 January 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915.

Wounded in action, 2 May 1915 (bullet wound, right index finger); admitted to hospital, Egypt, 7 May 1915; transferred from Convalescent Depot to Overseas Base, Alexandria, 3 June 1915; embarked on SS 'Southland', 14 June 1915.

Admitted to No 1 Australian Stationary Hospital, Lemnos, 21 July 1915 (no details given); to HS 'Marathon', Mudros, 2 September 1915 (rheumatism); admitted to No 1 Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, 5 September 1915; transferred to New Zealand & Australian Convalescent Hospital, Helouan, 17 September 1915. Proceeded from Alexandria to rejoin the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 4 November 1915; rejoined Bn at Gallipoli, 13 November 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria from Mudros, 3 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to 4th Division Artillery, 12 March 1916; taken on strength, 10th Field Artillery Brigade, and posted to 38th Battery as Gunner, 16 March 1916. Appointed Temporary Bombardier, 15 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 13 June 1916. Reverted to rank of Gunner, 24 June 1916.

Admitted to 12th Field Ambulance, 13 January 1917; transferred to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, 13 January 1917 (gonorrhoea); to No 1 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 20 January 1917; to 51st General Hospital, Rouen, 21 January 1917; discharged to Australian General Base Depot, 16 February 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 35 days.

Admitted to 51st General Hospital, Rouen, 28 February 1917; discharged to Base details, 7 April 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 39 days. Marched out to 4th Division Artillery, 11 April 1917; taken on strength, 10th Field Artillery Brigade, and posted to 38th Battery, 13 April 1917.

Wounded in action, 5 October 1917 (shrapnel wound, right thigh), and admitted same day to 54th Field Ambulance and thence to 41st Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, 5 October 1917; to England, 10 October 1917, and admitted to Devonport Military Hospital, 11 October 1917 (gun shot wound, thigh: severe). Discharged on furlough, 29 November 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 13 December 1917. Marched in to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 13 December 1917; marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 31 January 1918; proceeded overseas to France, 1 March 1918; rejoined 38th Battery, 7 March 1918.

Marched out to England for return to Australia, 1 September 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Darwin', 23 September 1918 (submarine guard duty); discharged, Sydney, 26 January 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death28 May 1937
Age at death37
Place of burialRookwood Crematorium, New South Wales

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