Albert William Keown was born in Brunswick, Melbourne in 1891. Prior to enlistment, he was an architectural apprentice at A.W. Purnell Architects, but postponed his apprenticeship to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Keown joined the 5th Infantry Battalion on 17 August 1914 and departed Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21 October 1914.

After spending four months training in Egypt, Keown was sent to Gallipoli with the 5th Infantry Battalion, landing as part of the second wave of attack on 25 April 1915. In May, during the 2nd Brigade's assault on Krithia, Keown suffered a shrapnel wound that badly affected his hand and chest. On 18 May he was admitted to St Andrews Hospital in Malta, and evacuated to England before being forced to return to Australia on 19 November 1915. After being discharged from the AIF on 25 May 1916, Keown quickly re-enlisted and worked as a temporary staff sergeant major at an Officer Training School at Port Melbourne and later as a District Area Officer for St. Kilda.
In 1920, Keown finished his military service and returned to finish his articles at A.W. Purnell Architects.