Studio portrait of the Keily brothers from Plympton, South Australia who both served in the 50th ...

Studio portrait of the Keily brothers from Plympton, South Australia who both served in the 50th Battalion, AIF. Identified on the left is 1152 Private (Pte) Herbert Keily who was a 21 year old printer prior to enlisting on 16 November 1914. He embarked for overseas with the 1st Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion from Melbourne on 27 December 1914 aboard HMAT Themistocles. After serving at Gallipoli with the 10th Battalion, he transferred to the 50th Battalion in Egypt and was promoted to Corporal in March 1916. He went with them to France in June 1916 and was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 1 July 1916. He was killed in action at Pozieres, France on 16 August 1916 and buried on the battlefield however after the war his grave could not be located and he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France with others who have no known grave. On the right is 3605 Pte Thomas Heath Keily who was a 19 year old labourer prior to enlisting on 26 September 1915. He embarked for overseas with the 11th Reinforcements of the 12th Battalion from Melbourne on 10 November 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius. Following further training in Egypt he joined the 52nd Battalion in March 1915 and then three weeks later transferred to the 50th Battalion. He went with them to France in June 1916 and was wounded in action on 4 September 1916. After being evacuated to England for medical treatment, he re-joined the 50th Battalion on 12 September 1917. He was wounded in action for the second time on 24 April 1918 and again evacuated to England for medical treatment. After re-joining the 50th Battalion on 14 September 1918, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 23 October 1918 and returned to Australia on 6 August 1919.