Jack Keddie (12 February 1922 – 15 August 1945) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon. Considered to be a great talent, his league career was cut short due to war.
He was accidentally drowned on Victory in the Pacific Day while serving with the Second AIF.
Family The son of schoolteacher Robert Keddie, and Christina Keddie, née Edmond, Jack Keddie was born in Maffra on 12 February 1922.
He was engaged to Olive Myrtle Wright, of Palmwoods, Queensland, in September 1944.Engagements: Keddie—Wright, The Courier-Mail, (Tuesday, 12 September 1944), p. 6. He died before they could be married.
Football "A natural athlete with a loping gait and ability to win the ball almost at will",Main & Allen (2002), p. 275. Keddie was recruited from Keilor, and a regular Second XVIII player, he played one senior match for Essendon, when he was selected to replace the injured Harold Lambert in the match against Fitzroy on 30 August 1941.Football Teams, The Age, (Friday, 29 August 1941), p. 3. He injured his shoulder, and was replaced in the last quarter.Essendon's System, The Argus, (Monday, 1 September 1941), p. 8.
Playing for the Essendon Second XVIII he scored four goals in its 1941 Grand Final victory over the Fitzroy Second XVIII.Walsh, F., "'Dons Win Seconds Grand Final", The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 27 September 1941), p. 3.
Death Keddie, who could not swim, was accidentally drowned at Wewak, Territory of New Guinea on 15 August 1945 while serving with the Second AIF,Deaths: On Active Service, The Argus, (Monday, 3 September 1945), p. 2.Australian Army Casualties, The Argus, (Wednesday, 5 September 1945), p. 13.In Memoriam: On Active Service: Keddie, The Argus, (Saturday, 14 August 1948), p. 9. when the rowing boat he was sharing with his brother Lyle Keddie (VX91352), and his two mates, Clarrie Vernon (VX113376) and Patrick George Dungan (VX131595) overturned. All four were serving in the same A.E.M.E. unit.Main & Allen (2002), p. 273.
See also List of Victorian Football League players who died on active service
Footnotes
Sources Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing. Main, J. & Allen, D., "Keddie, Jack", pp. 273–275 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen – The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002. World War Two Service Record: Sergeant Jack Keddie (VX105370), National Archives of Australia. Roll of Honour: Sergeant Jack Keddie (VX105370), Australian War Memorial.
External links
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record: Sergent Jack Keddie (VX105370)