| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR04435 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Diary |
| Maker |
Hean, Keith Doctor |
| Place made | Egypt, France |
| Date made | 1915-1916 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Hean, Keith Doctor (Private, b.1890 - d.1916)
Description
Collection relating to the First World War service of 2842 Private Keith Doctor Hean, 12th Battalion, Egypt and France, 1915-1916.
The collection consists of a diary Hean maintained during his service in Egypt and France between September 1915 and June 1916. The first part of the diary is written as a brief reminiscence of his voyage from Melbourne to Egypt. More frequent entries appear from March 1916. Hean writes of his battalion being inspected by the Prince of Wales and Lieutenant General Sir William Birdwood on 19 March, of his clothes being fumigated for lice, and of his embarkation for France. He also mentions Anzac Day 1916, an inspection by General Sir Douglas Haig, his battalion’s movement into the firing line, and the wounding of Sergeant John Whittle (later a recipient of the Victoria Cross) on 17 June. Whittle’s wounding is the final entry in the diary, as Hean was killed in action two days later.
The diary also includes a tally of the letters Hean received from friends and family, as well as their postal addresses.