The AIF Project

Noel Cooper KEEN

Regimental number2460
Place of birthEton, via Mackay, Queensland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressEton, Mackay, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 7.5"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Agnes Charlton Keen, Eton Mackay, Queensland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date28 February 1916
Place of enlistmentRockhampton, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name47th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/64/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 19 September 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll48th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 2 June 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: F and A KEEN. Plaque in Queensland Garden of Remembrance.
Discharge date20 August 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Brisbane, 19 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, 9 December 1916, and transferred to Devonport Hospital from the Ship's Hospital, the same day; discharged, 16 December 1916; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 18 December 1916 (Class A).

Marched into 12th Training Bn, Codford, 22 December 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 4 February 1917; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 4 February 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 9 February 1917; taken on strength of 47th Bn, 11 February 1917.

Admitted to No 3 Australian Field Ambulance, 11 March 1917 (trench feet); discharged, 21 March 1917; rejoined unit, 23 March 1917.

Evacuated to hospital, 1 August 1917 (accidental gunshot wound, right leg); admitted to No 12 Australian Field Ambulance, 2 August 1917, and transferred to Casualty Clearing Station the same day; to No 12 General Hospital, Rouen, 3 August 1917; to England, 12 August 1917; to Graylingwell War Hospital, Chichester, 13 August 1917; to No 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 22 August 1917; discharged to furlough, 27 August 1917; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 10 September 1917.

Undated report by G.O.C., 12th Infantry Bde states: 'wounded accidentally, no disciplinary action to be taken'.

Classified B1A3, 14 September 1917.

Marched into Overseas Training Bde, Perham Downs, 4 October 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 2 November 1917; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 3 November 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 6 November 1917; rejoined 47th Bn, 14 November 1917.

Transferred to, and taken on strength of 48th Bn, 25 May 1918.

Court of Enquiry declares, 7 July 1918, '2460 Private Keen, N.C., illegally absented himself without leave on 1 June 1918 and is still so absent'.

Admitted to No 39 General Hospital, 4 November 1918 (not yet diagnosed); discharged to Assistant Provost Marshal, Le Harve, 22 November 1918 (scabies); to 4th Australian Division, 4 December 1918; rejoined 48th Bn from being absent without leave, 11 December 1918.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, 29 December 1918, on charge of being absent without leave from 1 June 1918, until 4 November 1918: found Guilty: award, forfeits 90 days pay.

Rejoined unit, 2 April 1919.

Proceeded to England for return to Australia, 6 April 1919; marched into No 4 Group, Hurdcott, 16 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Beltana', 2 June 1919; disembarked Brisbane, 19 July 1919; discharged Brisbane (termination of period of enlistment), 20 August 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death attributed to war service.
Date of death10 April 1934
Age at death39
Place of burialStanthorpe Cemetery, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, KEEN Noel Cooper

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