SAPPER EDWARD JOHN Mckeon

SAPPER EDWARD JOHN McKEON

3337 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Edward John McKeon was born in Brisbane, Queensland on December 31, 1874 the son of Thomas and Susannah (formerly Galloway) McKeon. He had been apprenticed to E.J. Neighbour, Boot Manufacturer for two and a half years. On July 2, 1900 he married Emma Charlotte Last. Around 1903 to 1906 he was a Labourer and they were living at Parson’s Point, Gladstone, Qld where he did two years service with the 5th Infantry there. They moved to Mundic Creek, Mount Morgan, Qld and still recorded as a Labourer in 1913 remaining there until early 1916.

Edward applied to enlist for active service at the Central Queensland Central Recruiting Depot in Rockhampton, Qld on February 11, 1916 and initially refused to comply in having the medical examination. Personal particulars from his visit show he deleted a few years to be thirty-nine years and one month old and was 166cms (5ft 5¼ins) tall. He weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest measurement of 92cms (36ins) and a scar on in the inside of the upper part of his left arm a distinguishing mark. His left eye tested to good vision but his right one was slightly weaker. The medical officer approved him ‘fit for active service’.

He returned to the Recruiting Depot on February 21, 1916 where the Recruiting Officer accepted his application. Forms of Attestation were completed and he was sworn in the same day. Further details reveal his complexion was fair with bluish grey eyes and dark coloured hair. His faith was given as Roman Catholic and his wife Mrs E.C. McKeon of Mundic Creek, later changed to Red Hill, Mount Morgan was nominated as next-of-kin. Three-fifths of his pay was allotted to support his wife and children.

Basic training commenced at the 11th Depot Battalion, Enoggera Camp, Brisbane, Qld on February 22 until March 23, 1916 then he was transferred to the 1st Military District’s Tunnelling Corps. The recruits formed part of the No 4 Company which embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.

At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 11, 1916 they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training. The rank of Sapper and the Regimental number 3337 in No 4 Company was assigned to him.

The 7713 ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.

Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day.

Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Perham Down’s camp.

The men proceeded to France on August 29, 1916 marching in to the 2nd Aust Divisional Base Depot the next day.

Sapper McKeon was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company on September 30, 1916.

His wife Mrs E.C. McKeon wrote from Tipperary Flat, Mount Morgan to Base Records on July 2, 1917 as she had not heard from her husband in France since January 29. On July 10, 1917 they replied stating no official casualty report had been received concerning her husband and it was assumed he was with his unit. His postal address abroad was included in the letter.

He suffered no accidents, sickness or wounds up until August 23, 1917 when he was taken to the 4th Aust. Field Ambulance suffering from Acne. He was transferred to the 12th Field Ambulance but given a few days break at the Divisional Rest Station instead. Admitted to the 44th Field Ambulance with Acne on September 2, 1917 he rejoined his unit on September 6.

He was still with his unit on July 7, 1918 and proceeded on leave on August 18, 1918 returning on September 1, 1918.

He was taken sick on September 13 to the 11th Field Ambulance and admitted suffering from Dyspepsia (Indigestion) and rejoined his unit four days later.

On October 3, 1918 he was detached to the A.G.B.D. for the Medical Board and arrived at Rouelles two days later. He carried a note from the A.A.M.C. Medical Officer marked as P.L.D. on account of recurring acute abdominal pain Cholecystitis (Inflammation of Gall Bladder). The Aust. Standing Medical Board at Havre gave this brief medical report on October 7, 1918.

Medical History:Left unit with Rheumatism in October 1918. Age 45.

Present Condition:Has pains in back, shoulders and legs.

Cause of Unfitness:Age and Rheumatism

Classification:B3

As a result of the Board’s Report Sapper McKeon was sent to England on October 31, 1918 unfit under class BIII. The following day November 1 he arrived at No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth. There on November 7, 1918 he was medically assessed at Westham, Weymouth. The Report is as follows:

Disability:Rheumatism

Date of Origin:1917

History of Disability:Age 45. States never had Rheumatism before about 18months ago.

Evacuated Oct. 1918 with pain in shoulders. He has had attacks of

Abdominal pain which has been attributed to Cholecystitis.

Caused by:Aggravated by service next by exposure.

Present condition:Looks his age 44. Cardio vascular changes. Pain in shoulders and abdominal pain.

Recommended:CII Discharge permanently unfit.

Aggravation:Strain & Exposure

Disablement:25%

After the Armistice the Medical Board approved on November 23, 1918 Sapper McKeon was permanently unfit for general service and temporarily unfit for home service.

He embarked from Devonport on December 4, 1918 on the vessel D35 H.T. Somerset for his voyage to Australia for discharge due to Rheumatism. His berth was a Hammock and notes made for the ship’s doctor were:

Still complains of pain in shoulder. No Crepitus. General health good. Urine 1020 Ac. No Alb. No Sugar.

His wife was notified on December 20, 1918 that her husband was returning home. The ship arrived on Melbourne, Vic (3rd Military District) on January 15, 1919 and he went on to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)

He arrived at the 6th Aust. General Hospital, Brisbane on January 17, 1919 and was assessed on his health in accordance with the Medical Board’s recommendations. His present condition and progress was given as ‘Some pain in joints – improved greatly.’ He was sent to the S.O.I. & R.S. Section for disposal.

The following day he was recommended for discharge. This was granted on February 24, 1919 in Brisbane (1st M.D.) under medically unfit.

He died three weeks later on March 17, 1919 in Mount Morgan aged 45 years. The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Wednesday March 19, 1919 published news of his sudden demise and funeral arrangements:

He was buried in the Mount Morgan Cemetery.

The British War Medal (17075) and the Victory Medal (16678) were awarded to his widow Mrs E.C. McKeon for the war service of Sapper 3337 Edward John McKeon, 1st Tunnelling Company.

In the Queensland Garden of Remembrance at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane a plaque commemorating his war service is located on Wall 1 Row Q.