Keith Allan Higgins

Keith Higgins (Service No 1001, 2375 & 4409), was born in Braidwood, N.S.W.

At enlistment, he was single, 23 years old, worked as a mercer and lived in Thirroul, N.S.W.

Keith embarked on HMAT A35 Berrima, with Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, D Company, on 19th August 1914, serving in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. He was discharged on 4th March 1915, at the end of his enlistment.

On 26th May 1915, Keith enlisted a second time, and served as Quartermaster (QM) at Liverpool Camp, until 2nd November 1916.

On 31st October1916, he enlisted again (Service No 4409). Keith embarked on HMAT A19 Afric, with 29th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement, on 3rd November 1916. Keith arrived in England on 9th January 1917, and was promoted to Corporal on 10th February, 1917. He joined 29th Battalion in France, on 22nd March 1917. Keith saw service on the Western Front, and was admitted to hospital with trench fever, on 30th July 1917.

On 20th November 1917, he was serving in England, as Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS), but went back to France, on 8th May 1918, and served there until the end of the war. Keith was returned to Australia, in September 1919, and discharged medically unfit on 8th January 1920. He had contracted malaria, whilst in Rabaul, and this kept recurring throughout his service.

After the war, Keith married Eleanor, and the couple had 2 children.

On 13th February 1939, Keith was riding a motor cycle, when he was involved in an accident. He was taken to Bulli Hospital, where his leg was amputated, but Keith succumbed to his injuries and died from shock.