David Keith McILWRAITH

Keith McIlwraith was born on 4 April 1893 at Margaret Street, Canterbury. His parents were David Hamilton and Caroline Teresa (née Pennefather) McIlwraith. He attended Scotch from 1910 to 1912. He was in Cadets. He was also a member of the cricket 1st XI in 1910, 1911 and 1912 and 1st XVIII football in the same years. He was in premiership winning teams in both sports in 1911.

Keith was a clerk when he enlisted on 17 August 1914 at Prahran. He served in the 5th Battalion, (Public Schools Company) with the rank of Private. His Regimental Number was 553.

Keith died on 25 April 1915 at Gallipoli. He was 22 years of age.

Service record

Lieutenant Stan Neale, who had been in premiership winning cricket and football teams with Keith McIlwraith in 1911, wrote in July 1915: ‘Scotch has given its share in this frightful war. Poor old Keith McIlwraith was killed the first day at 4 p.m. in the afternoon. He and I were close friends all through the training: we were together when he was hit. Keith was a fine chap, and liked by all of us.’

McIlwraith’s obituary in The Scotch Collegian gives more detail, saying that at one point the line of which Neale and McIlwraith were part was ordered to fall back. As they did so they became caught by enfilading fire (from the side). When one of the company was hit in the thigh, Neale sought to help him and called Keith for assistance. McIlwraith called out ‘I’m coming, old chap’, but on turning to do so ‘was at once shot in the left side, and died instantly.’ Neale ran to him but saw that his friend was beyond help.

The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour entry for McIlwraith, provided by his father, says that Keith ‘had gone to the assistance of a wounded comrade – but was killed by a sniper’s bullet as he reached him. His comrade is Private Clarence O’Brien of Donald, Vic.’

Keith McIlwraith has no known grave but is commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Photographs and Documents:

McIlwraith with the First XVIII football team in 1912. Stan Neale, who would be with Keith at his death less than three years later, is sitting a few places to his right.

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