Thomas Richard Keating was the third of seven surviving children, and was their eldest son of Janet and Richard. Tom was born while the family were living in St Marys, but to date there is no documentation confirming his date of birth. Due to this, there are slight inaccuracies across various records, as well as contradictions as to how old he was at the time of his death. Cemetery office records also differ from his headstone. However, Tom was most probably born in mid-August, 1892.<\/p>\n
After having spent his first years at St Marys, Tom\u2019s family returned to the inner city suburbs, and his childhood years were spent living at Erskineville, Darlington and Newtown.<\/p>\n
Soon after her Janet\u2019s mother\u2019s death in 1898, the Keating family left Newtown for the leafy western suburb of Croydon. This allowed Janet to keep an eye on her widower father, who lived nearby in Holden Street Ashfield. Tom was around seven at the time. While living at Croydon, nineteen year old Tom commenced working in 1911 as an apprentice for H.J. Cohen Tailors & Mercers at 65 Market St in the city. In the winter months, Tom enjoyed accessorising with scarves. Tailoring was not only an occupation that would run in the Keating family; throughout his life, the people that surrounded him seemed to also be in that industry.<\/p>\n
The family remained in Croydon until Tom was 20 years old. Times were tough, money didn\u2019t come easy, and there were seven children to raise \u2013 so Janet would have to wait until she was 44 years old before finally having a place to call her own.<\/p>\n
Richard and Janet purchased a large block on Sharpe Street in Belmore, and built a beautiful Federation-style home. The property was registered in Janet\u2019s name on 26th<\/sup> June 1912. They named their home \u201cKilarney\u201d after their Irish roots. The house still stands today, over 100 years later. Family memories of \u201cKillarney\u201d include: an open fire in the kitchen, huge paintings of stag hunting and waterfalls in the living areas, and religious pictures in the bedrooms. A piano graced the loungeroom, along with lace doilies on lounges and rugs over polished floor boards.<\/p>\n By now, Tom had grown into a confident and self-assured young man. He was the handsome lad who liked to have fun; a bit on the wild side, cheeky by nature and a real larrikin.<\/p>\n Tom was very fit with an athletic build. He was devoted to and exceptionally good at boxing, with a host of trophies and championships under his belt as a featherweight boxer. Family albums reveal that Tom may have been ambidextrous; he seemed equally adept in the use of both his left and right hands. He was also a very good horseman. This skill would be advantageous when deciding on an unexpected career change in the near future.<\/p>\n The year was 1915, and Tom was now 23 and had been working for H.J. Cohens for four years. Tom was also in a steady relationship with auburn-haired Kitty O\u2019Brien, whom he had met through his sister, Dorothy. Kitty lived in Godfrey St Lakemba, a convenient suburb away from \u201cKillarney\u201d.<\/p>\n Like many thousands of men at the time, Tom contemplated serving his country. He was initially held back from signing up due to the strict conditions in place; amongst other things, men had to be at least 5\u2019 6\u201d, which automatically ruled Tom out. These requirements were considerable relaxed as the war progressed.<\/p>\n Serving overseas meant that Tom would have to say goodbye to everything; his parents, his family, his girl Kit, his friends, his job and his country. But Tom\u2019s sense of adventure, patriotic duty, and more importantly, his sense of mateship (friends would also apply) were enough to see him go through with his application, and time would reveal that his instincts in becoming a soldier \u2013 and a good soldier at that \u2013 would be correct.<\/p>\n Kitty would have been heartbroken at the thought of her Tom fighting in a war so far from home. They no doubt discussed their future, and both decided to hold on to what they had, which indicated they eventually wanted a future together despite the uncertainty ahead. There was the general belief throughout Australia that the war would not go on for too much longer, so the couple hoped that Tom would be back home before too long.<\/p>\n After having applied for active service abroad, Tom was called up to attend an interview and medical exam at Victoria Barracks, Paddington, on Friday, 14th January, 1916.\u00a0 Within two weeks he was accepted, and officially joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 31st January, 1916.\u00a0 Like nowadays, the boys had a choice of what they wanted to do.\u00a0 Tom signed up as a Driver for Regimental Transport until four months after the end of the war.\u00a0 Tom was never known as Private Keating; at that time, the term \u2018Driver\u2019 was both an Army occupation as well as a rank for members of the artillery who dealt with horses.<\/p>\n Most of Tom\u2019s enlistment papers were written in his own handwriting.\u00a0 WWI Army service records did not contain photographs, however, he described himself as having brown eyes and black hair, a fair complexion, and being 5\u20194\u00bd\u201d.\u00a0 He notes \u2018Killarney\u2019 as his address, and his father, Richard, as next of kin.\u00a0 Under the heading, \u2018distinguished marks\u2019, he wrote that he had a scar on his chest area, under his left armpit.<\/p>\n WWI enlistment papers did not ask for date of birth (which may explain why boys were able to lie about their age when signing up), but enlistment papers did ask the boys for their age.\u00a0 On 14th<\/sup> January, 1916 Tom wrote that he was 23 and five months old; this is the only reliable record that enables us to estimate that his date of birth must have been mid August of 1892. \u00a0(This date also matches with how old Tom said he was at the time of his future wedding).<\/p>\n Upon reporting for his first day of service, Tom became Driver Keating and joined A.S.C. Reinforcements.\u00a0 It is highly likely that Tom transferred to the regimental transport unit because he was already a skilled horseman.<\/p>\n After six weeks in Sydney, Tom was finally transferred to his battalion in Armidale.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t many men of Tom\u2019s trade in his Battalion, although his boxing background would have enabled him to fit in with the tough miners, stockmen and labourers of New England.\u00a0 Like so many other battalions, the 33rd<\/sup>\u2019s coming together would break down any barriers between the classes once they were on the battlefield:\u00a0 Catholics and Protestants, educated college boys, larrikins and country boys were all united to the cause, and mateship reigned supreme.<\/p>\n Little did Tom and the boys realise at the time that their coming together would form one heck of an amazing battalion.\u00a0 War historians would later write about this group of every day Australians who would become a tour de force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n Now that the Battalion had been assembled, it was time to turn these country lads into soldiers. Amidst much fanfare, the Battalion left Armidale for training at Rutherford Camp, Maitland in early 1916.<\/p>\n After months of training, it was now time to set sail from Sydney and leave for war.\u00a0 The Battalion left Rutherford Camp on 3rd<\/sup> May, 1916 at 8am and proceeded to Sydney by train.\u00a0 A great crowd gathered in Maitland to see Tom and the boys off.\u00a0 They were presented with many flags and ribbons \u2013 which stood out very conspicuously while travelling down through different stations, where they received great ovations from the country folk.<\/p>\n A review of the Battalion and a march-past took place at Prince Alfred Park in Cleveland Street and another at Moore Park.\u00a0 The boys were then allowed leave until 11pm that night.\u00a0 It may have been during this free time that Tom went home to say his final goodbyes to Kitty and his family.<\/p>\n When it came time for Tom to say farewell to his family, they accompanied him to Belmore Station.\u00a0 After heartfelt goodbyes, they stood on the bridge over the station watching his city-bound train pull away from the platform.\u00a0 Janet kept her eyes on it until it turned the corner and was out of sight \u2013 for she may never see her son again. The landing at Gallipoli had taken place just 12 months before, so she was well aware of the dangers that awaited him.\u00a0 On that day, she said she felt she had buried Tom right then and there.<\/p>\n With Tom now gone, the Keating family was certainly feeling the void created by his absence, however, he left behind a keepsake for them to remember him by.\u00a0 Before sailing, Tom had arranged for a studio portrait <\/strong>(see image) to be taken, which featured him in uniform \u2013 complete with his great coat collar stylishly turned up about his neck.\u00a0 Janet hung her son\u2019s portrait in the \u2018Killarney\u2019 dining room, \u00a0thus ensuring a part of him remained with them \u2013 despite the miles that were now slowly widening between Tom and his family.<\/p>\n On the 4th<\/sup> May 1916, Tom, aged 23, embarked Sydney on the H.M.A.T. Marathon<\/em>. After his two month voyage, Tom disembarked at Devonport on 9th<\/sup> July 1916. No sooner had he settled in to the safety of the army camp, when news broke from across the Channel that a great battle had taken place in Fromelles, with 5533 Australians being lost in a single night (the battle of Fromelles remains the bloodiest 24 hours in Australia\u2019s military history). As news of this battle filtered home to Australia, Janet would now have more reason to worry about her son. Tom continued as planned, and spent the next 4 \u00bd months training at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plains.<\/p>\n \u201cWent to London on four days leave. Went through the British Museum, St Paul\u2019s Cathedral and other places. We stayed at Peel House \u2013 which is sort of a W.M.C.A. for overseas soldiers, and it\u2019s more like home than any other place I have yet been in. Hundreds of our boys stay there. It is cheap and in the centre of attractions. We also visited and went through the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Waxworks and all the other important places in London. Altogether, we had a bosker time, and were sorry to have to go back to camp.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As focussed as the boys of the 33rd<\/sup> were, being absent without leave was common. So it\u2019s no surprise to see that two months into his posting at Larkhill, Tom was one of them! Perhaps, like many, he and the boys were in London and found it hard to return to camp just yet. Nevertheless, he was caught out:<\/p>\n \u201cOffence between 10pm on Saturday, 9th<\/sup> September, 1916 to Sunday, 9am on 10th<\/sup> September, 1916. Went absent without leave (AWOL). Award: 8 days pay, and 7 days FP No 2, Total Forfeiture\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Surprisingly, this incident and attempting to bring alcohol on board \u201cMarathon\u201d in Fremantle, were the only two offences recorded during Tom\u2019s years in the AIF. These incidents give us a glimpse into Tom\u2019s cheeky personality. Either his whole attitude seems to change once he was on the Front, or he learnt how to not get caught out. In any case, what would soon show through was the larrikin away from the Front Line, but the soldier in it.<\/p>\n The Aussies had to quickly adapt to the intensity of conditions on the Western Front. Tom\u2019s arrival coincided with the most severe winter that Northern France had experienced in nearly 40 years. The rains which fell throughout October and November were the wettest on record at the time, followed by a bitter winter of continuous frost and snow.<\/p>\n On the home front, Kitty continued to wait for Tom\u2019s return. She was often told by those around her that she should get on with her life. Unless Tom was seriously injured, there was no chance of him returning home any time soon. His enlistment conditions noted that he was to remain over there until four months after the end of the war. Kitty was adamant she would wait for Tom. She most probably visited \u201cKillarney\u201d during wartime to get strength and support from Richard and Janet. She also had more reason for concern: her older brother, Eugene, had enlisted seven months after Tom, and was now serving on the Westrn Front with the 59th<\/sup> Battalion. The 59th<\/sup> frequently fought alongside Tom\u2019s 33rd<\/sup>. Like Tom, Eugene was also 23 and had been a tailor for 5 years prior to enlisting. Eugene was still dating Tom\u2019s younger sister, Dorothy, so his Army portrait also hung in the \u201cKillarney\u201d dining room alongside Tom\u2019s.<\/p>\n No doubt the English ladies would have noticed dashing Tom.\u00a0 He may well have joined the boys on excursions and dances with the English girls, however, he seemed content to return to Australia a single man \u2013 despite the uncertainly of when that might be.\u00a0 In all probability, after years of mud, men and uniforms, he would have been grateful to be amongst female conversation, lace and perfume.\u00a0 However, their presence wasn\u2019t enough to sway his heart; like Kit, he too remained committed to their relationship.<\/p>\n In mid 1917 the 33rd<\/sup> marched into Belgium.\u00a0 After having spent their first months in France, they were now on their way to their first major battle at Messines in Belgium.\u00a0 Along the way, the 33rd<\/sup> marched through the Menin Gate at Ypres.\u00a0 Two large stone lions stood silently guarding either side of the gate as they witnessed Tom and the boys marching through them.\u00a0 In time, this gate would become a significant war memorial. \u2013 look for image on AWM<\/p>\n As for Tom\u2019s 3rd<\/sup> Division, planning for the battle was meticulous, and Monash covered every aspect with his usual thoroughness.\u00a0 They gathered to study a large contour model of the Messines battlefield – which gave them knowledge of the area over which they were to advance the following morning. The Australian attack at Messines opened on 7th June, 1917 with the detonation of 19 massive mines exploding over a 20-second period.\u00a0 It was the largest man-made explosion in history at the time, and could clearly be heard on the English mainland 60 miles away. After the explosion, it was time to go in.\u00a0 Tom and the boys had formed a new front line in a remarkably short time.\u00a0 They held the ground captured during the battle for several days afterwards, but were subjected to intense artillery bombardment.\u00a0 As one of the 33rd<\/sup> put it, \u201cHolding the line at Messines was far worse than taking it<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 The offensive lasted for six days, from 7th<\/sup> \u2013 12th<\/sup> June, 1917.<\/p>\n Official figures show that the Battle of Messines cost the 33rd<\/sup> 390 casualties.\u00a0 For the Battalion, the battle for Messines claimed a heavier toll in casualties than any other during the war.<\/p>\n The Battalion\u2019s next major battle was around Passchendaele.<\/p>\n The battlefield, though, had been deluged with rain, with thick mud tugging at the advancing troops.\u00a0 The boys themselves called it the \u2018Battle of Mud\u2019.<\/p>\n After Belgium, the Battalion backtracked through the Menin Gate, by now just two great shattered walls, and made its way down to France.<\/p>\n John Edwards explains (reference?): \u201cThe 33rd<\/sup> Battalion could achieve such a victory only by acts of outstanding bravery.\u00a0 The fact that 600+ Germans were ousted from so strongly-held positions by only 187 of our men (101 machine guns were also captured) is nothing short of phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n 12,000 gas shells were pumped into Villers-Bretonneux in just one day.\u00a0 The trenches and the whole countryside were drenched in mustard gas and phosgene to such an extent that it saturated the boys\u2019 clothing, causing the painful effects to become unbearable \u2013 especially in the more tender regions of the armpits and crotch.\u00a0 61 men in Tom\u2019s \u2018D\u2019 Coy were taken to hospital.\u00a0 The next day the Germans repeated their assault, resulting in the whole of the 33rd<\/sup> having to be temporarily relieved by the 36th<\/sup> Battalion.\u00a0 Amongst the wounded was Colonel Morshead, who experienced two weeks of blindness and was away from his Battalion recuperating in hospital for two months.<\/p>\n The Battalion eventually re-captured Villers-Bretonneux, and the townspeople were extremely grateful to the Australians.\u00a0 To this day, they still hold Australians dear to their hearts, and have many reminders of our boys\u2019 presence there.\u00a0 The Australian National Memorial is located at Villers-Bretonneux.<\/p>\n The breaching of the Hindenburg Line (which forced the Germans back to their original line) was the breakthrough the Allies needed, leading to the end of the war.\u00a0 This was the first time that United States troops had ever participated alongside Australians.<\/p>\n Because of Tom\u2019s outstanding service during the \u2018Hindenburg Line\u2019<\/strong> operation, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal.\u00a0 Interestingly, it was the American allied forces who put Tom forward for this honour.\u00a0 The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military decoration which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the US or other uniformed services<\/a>.\u00a0 Tom wasn\u2019t to know that this would be his last battle, or that the war would be ending the following month.<\/p>\n The Australian War Memorial in Canberra records Tom\u2019s bravery:<\/p>\n \u201cFor Conspicuous Good Service and Devotion to Duty:\u00a0 During the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bonx, between the 29th September and 2nd October, 1918, this N.C.O. was employed as a runner between Battalion Headquarters and the Regimental Transport lines.\u00a0 He displayed the greatest courage and initiative under heavy machine gun and artillery fire, moving backwards and forwards through the barrage, as a guide for ammunition and ration carrying parties.\u00a0 Lance Corporal Keating has at all times been a splendid example to his comrades.\u00a0 25th February, 1919.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n How does a soldier manage to perform such duties when he knows that any step could be his last?\u00a0 Before becoming a soldier, Tom already had the advantage of possessing a quiet courage that enabled him to become a successful boxer.\u00a0 He knew how to manage his fear, and keep it under control.\u00a0 Tom was also driven by two things:<\/p>\n As for Tom\u2019s own personal experiences, his log book (as well as some of the experiences that he shared with his brother, Dick) enable us to know the following:<\/p>\n Transporting to the Front Line:<\/p>\n Amongst other duties, Tom would be required to transport shells and ammunition in wagons up to the Front Line.\u00a0 This had its hazards, especially when the Germans were flying overhead looking for targets to fire at.\u00a0 Once a bombing raid flew over, Tom would only have limited time to get the wagon up to the Front Line.\u00a0 Knowing that the planes would eventually circle and return for another raid, Tom would only have a small window of opportunity to hurry on with his load.<\/p>\n Janet\u2019s song:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOn my knees begging for it not to be true, Tom spent time away from the Front Line due to being hospitalized during the first week of November 1917.\u00a0 Some of the 33rd\u2019s <\/sup>families back home were fortunate enough to be notified when their men had been hospitalised for serious injuries, however, feelings of helplessness only added to their anxiety.<\/p>\n Tom was sent to a hospital located in the northern French port of Boulogne \u2013 where most of its patients were battle casualties.\u00a0 It was a large tented hospital, and Tom was there for a week.\u00a0 Not long after, he was transferred to a rest camp for a further two months of recuperation.\u00a0 Tom\u2019s log book doesn\u2019t offer the reason for him being hospitalised, but it seems to have kept him from the Front for 2\u00bd months.\u00a0 The following two entries appear in his log book:<\/p>\n It is not known how many times he was injured, as many of the wounded literally returned to active duty after being patched up, however, the above log book entries must have been significant enough to have kept Tom from active service for so long.\u00a0 He was fortunate though; many were mutilated beyond hope of further involvement and sent home, or they would die slow and painful deaths in the hospitals of France and England.<\/p>\n Having spent two years in France, Tom and his Battalion acquired knowledge of the French language through lessons provided by the AIF.\u00a0 French children living out on the land would also enjoy teaching our diggers the local language.<\/p>\n Having served for two years and five months, Tom was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 3rd<\/sup> July, 1918.<\/p>\n Tom represented the Battalion\u2019s rugby team in France in late 1918\/early 1919.\u00a0 The official Battalion diaries documented a few of the matches that he played as the war neared its end.\u00a0 Being part of the rugby team was a positive, as it showed that he was still mentally and physically in a good place.\u00a0 The writer of the Battalion diaries (reference?) would point out key players \u2013 with Tom being mentioned in every game he played:<\/p>\n \u201c2.11.18, Citerne.\u00a0 In the afternoon, the first round of the matches in the Brigade competition was played.\u00a0 The 33rd<\/sup> Battalion played the 9th<\/sup> Field Ambulance.\u00a0 Great interest was taken in the match, and a large crowd assembled to witness it.\u00a0 Lieut. Hayman kicked the goal, making the score 9 to 6 in favour of the 33rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 Shortly afterwards, the full time whistle blew.\u00a0 Sgt Blair played a fine game in the forwards, and Lance Corporal Keating did good work in the backs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c9.11.18, Citerne.\u00a0 Fine day.\u00a0 At 14:45 the second round of the Brigade Football Competition was played.\u00a0 The 33rd<\/sup> Battalion played the 34th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The 33rd<\/sup> kicked off with the sun in their faces.\u00a0 From the scrum, Keating passed to Sawtell, to Fulmer, to Bentley \u2013 who crossed close to the corner.\u00a0 Scores 20 to nil in favour of the 33rd<\/sup> when the full time whistle sounded.\u00a0 Lance Corporal Keating played his usual good game\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c16.11.18, Citerne.\u00a0 Fine day.\u00a0 In the afternoon played our third round of the rugby competition.\u00a0 Owing to influenza, etc, our team was six short of the team that played the previous Saturday including Lieut. Hayman, Lance Corporal Keating and Dvr Smith out of the team\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n For men in the AIF, leave to England offered the greatest chance of respite from the war.\u00a0 After having endured 16 months of trying conditions on the Western Front, Tom finally took 2\u00bd weeks\u2019 leave between 18th<\/sup> March to 5th<\/sup> April, 1918 and went to England for some well deserved normality.<\/p>\n As the war neared its end, it was also around this time that Tom received news from home of the death of his grandfather.\u00a0 Janet\u2019s father, Thomas Scahill, had passed away at \u2018Meath Cottage\u2019 in Holden Street, Ashfield on 1st<\/sup> October, 1918, aged 89.<\/p>\n At 11o\u2019clock on the morning of 11th<\/sup> November, 1918, the guns at last fell silent. The war had ended after 1560 days of fighting. The 33rd<\/sup> were at Citerne on Armistice Day. There was little rejoicing amongst Battalions, with diaries revealing their uncertainty and disbelief that the war could really be over. Tom continued with what was already planned for that day, being: representing the 33rd<\/sup> at a rugby match, then marching to Hallencourt with the boys for a long-awaited bath. Upon Tom\u2019s arrival at Hallencourt, he would find great rejoicing amongst the French population.<\/p>\n As per Tom\u2019s enlistment conditions, he stayed on in France for another five months to oversee the nation as it prepared to return to normality by patrolling, keeping order, and \u201cmopping up\u201d any pockets of German resistance.<\/p>\n Tom finally sailed to Southampton on 21st<\/sup> April, 1919, then spent the next two months at Codford Army Base (10 miles from Larkhill) while waiting for passage back home to Australia.<\/p>\n The 33rd<\/sup> Battalion disbanded in May 1919. Monash wrote of Tom\u2019s Division:<\/p>\n \u201cThe sense of duty was always very high, and so also was the instinct of comradeship. A soldier, a platoon, a whole battalion would sooner sacrifice itself than let down a comrade or another unit\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n For its service, two men received the Victoria Cross, and the 33rd Battalion received the following battle honours<\/a>:<\/p>\n The 33rd Battalion lost 451 men.\u00a0 This is an astonishing figure when we realise that other Battalions lost so many that they were disbanded \u2013 with their remaining men joining on to other battalions.\u00a0 The 33rd also had a further 2,052 wounded (including gassed). 46,000 Australian soldiers died on the Western Front – which had seen the most prolonged and intensive fighting of the First World War.<\/p>\n Tom was decorated with a British War Medal and a Victory Medal (images provided, examples only)<\/em><\/strong> The reverse has an image of St George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers, and a skull and cross-bones, the emblems of death. Above this is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914 and 1918 are contained on the outside edge medal. The ribbon has a wide central watered stripe of orange, flanked by two narrow white stripes, which are in turn flanked by two black pin-stripes, further flanked by two outer stripes of blue. The colours have no particular significance.<\/p>\nThe Larrikin<\/h4>\n
WWI<\/h4>\n
Driver Keating<\/h4>\n
On leave in London<\/h4>\n
‘Messines – Belgium’<\/h4>\n
\u2018Passchendaele\u2019 – Belgium<\/h4>\n
\u2018Road Wood\u2019 – France<\/h4>\n
\u2018Villers-Bretonneux\u2019 – France<\/h4>\n
\u2018Hindenburg Line\u2019 – France<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Tom\u2019s Own Experiences<\/h4>\n
Hospitalised<\/h4>\n
\n<\/em>But it was you they told me who was in trouble,
\n<\/em>I couldn\u2019t breathe on the other side of the world,
\n<\/em>And there was nothing I could do to help you …
\n<\/em>I wish you were here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n
Becoming A Local<\/h4>\n
Promotion<\/h4>\n
Representing the 33rd\u2019s Rugby Team<\/h4>\n
Leave in England<\/h4>\n
News From Home<\/h4>\n
The Guns fall silent<\/h4>\n
Au Revoir to France<\/h4>\n
How the 33rd<\/sup> is remembered<\/h4>\n
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33rd Battalion Stats<\/h4>\n
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\nThe British War Medal was Instituted by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and record the service given.\u00a0The medal is cupro-nickel with the effigy of George V on the obverse.<\/p>\n