Athol Henry O'Keefe (1898 - abt. 1944)

Biography

Athol O'Keefe is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 40th Battalion. 1916-1918
served France

Athol O'Keefe is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Athol O'Keefe was Wounded in Action during World War I.

Early Life

Athol was the third son in his family. He grew up in the town of New Norfolk, surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles as well as siblings, his parents and grandparents.

Although Athol's attestation papers give his age as 21 in 1916, his birth record shows his birth as 23 Mar 1898.

He was a butcher before he joined the armed forces, and single. He had spent a year with the 93rd Infantry Citizen Forces.

Military Service

Athol enlisted at his home town of New Norfolk on 9th October 1916. His description gives his height as 5 feet 3 1/2 inches with dark hair and grey eyes (common in the O'Keefe family). He was placed in the 40th Battalion.

He embarked for Melbourne on 6th December 1916 on the 'Orsova' and disembarked at Plymouth on the 17th February 1917. For a young man who had never left his home town and just 18 years old, this must have been a very eventful time.

His service record is not easy to read. He appears to have spent some time in Sutton, UK, then been moved to Durrington camp on 23rd Apr 1917. He was awarded pay for something then some pay was forfeited.

On 13th Aug 1917 he proceeded to 'Overseas Active Service' and by October 1917 he was in France.

On 12th October 1917, Athol was 'wounded in action' and taken back to England. On 15th October 1917 he was treated for a shoulder injury. He spent some time in Durrington Barracks in England.

An incident occurred on 21st January 1918. Deeply affected by his experiences in France and feeling very homesick, Athol vanished from Hardcott Hospital. He was discovered in London, in possession of a false leave pass.

Athol was tried and pleaded guilty. On 28th January 1918 he was sentenced to 65 days detention, the last 15 remitted, and total forfeiture of 88 days pay.

Athol returned to active service in France on 04 Mar 1918, and rejoined his unit on 12 Mar 1918.

On 23rd July 1918 Athol was discovered to be absent from his unit. He surrendered himself to police on 23rd July 1918. He was sentenced to '80 days' but not sure what the 80 days is of (I could take a guess).

Athol was again wounded in action on 31st August 1918 and was placed in Bristol Hospital on 3rd September 1918.

At the end of the war and after he was well enough to travel, Athol returned to Australia on the ship 'HMAT Aeneas'

After the War

Athol found it difficult to settle back into daily life. His family were very supportive and he had many friends who were glad to see him back, but the war did not really leave him.

He was regularly in trouble with the local police for alcohol related misdemeanors.

Athol did not marry.

Death

Death ^[1]

Athol Henry O'Keefe (48), unmarried, a returned soldier of the First World War, was found dead at his residence in Tank St. New Norfolk, yesterday. Death was due to natural causes.

Mr O'Keefe was a prominent New Norfolk footballer for several years after his return from the war, and he continued his interest in the club as a trainer. For 16 years he had been associated with the New Norfolk Rowing Club.

^[2]

Sources

Birth registration

Footnotes

1. ↑ "Returned Soldier's Death." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 10 May 1944: 4. Web. 17 Mar 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26013022>.
2. ↑ Entered by Irene Dillon.

Acknowledgments