CLARA Jane JOHNSTONE 04/08/1883 Forth child born to Emily Jane Gray and William Johnstone. Clara married Alfred Keed.
They had 2 children:
29/09/1912 Brian Keed. Iris A White.
15/07/1915 Nancy Mignon Keed. Aubrey Smith
Clara Jane Johnstone, born 04 August 1883 in Coolmunda, Inglewood,
QLD, Australia; died Abt. 27 March 1966 in Brisbane, QLD. She married Alfred
Edward Keed 08 April 1912 in Church of David, Omanama, QLD, Australia; born
24 April 1884 in Brewarrina Station, Galore, Narrandera, NSW, Australia;
died 21 July 1916 in Bailleul, France.
Notes for Clara Jane Johnstone:
Whilst living in Sydney, Clara sent some scissors back home as a Christmas
present and one of the Keed family remarked about " sending the money back
over the border".
Clara did dress making for a living and bought a General Store in
Cobbadamana. Clara was very camera shy and would never say how old she was.
Clara did not much like the Keed inlaws and told her Grandaughter Elizabeth
Anne Keed, that she doubted that her marriage to Alfred would have lasted.
Clara lent Brian money, to buy a truck, just after the 1939 -1945 war.
Clara went to Bundaberg when Brian Keed had finished building her house
there. Brian went up to build it on the Monday after his engagement to Iris.
He was away for a few months. This was a few years prior to their marriage.
The shop at Cobbadamana had been closed for a while. Clara did not work in
Bundaberg. She received a war widows pension, which was granted at the rate
of 2 Pounds per fortnight, from 08 October 1916, when she was living in
Picton. Her address in Bundaberg was at the corner of Hope St and Woongarra
St. The block was about 32 perches or more. Her neighbour eventually bought
the house and sold it for removal. It may have been taken to Bagarra.
Clara Moved back to Brisbane after the birth of her grandson Geoffrey and
bought a house at Knowsley St Coorparoo, where she lived until her death.
Clara died of a heart attack, in her sleep, having had a cup of tea and
having read the paper, a few days after the wedding of Elizabeth Anne Keed.
Clara was temporarily staying with her daughter Nancy at the time.
More About Clara Jane Johnstone:
Burial: Abt. 29 March 1966, Inglewood Cemetery, QLD
Occupation: 1915, Home Duties
Residence: 1915, Moore Street, Coogee
Notes for Alfred Edward Keed:
Alfred was apprenticed for 5 years to W Walster of Junee.
Alfred applied for enlistment with the AIF at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, on
04 August 1915, aged 31 years and four months. The enlistment was to be for
a period ending 4 months after the end of the war. The application indicated
that his pay would be 8 shillings a day, inclusive of the maximum Seperation
Allowance. Alfred agreed that not less then three fifths of his pay would be
alloted to support his wife and children. Alfred (pictured right) signed the Oath of
enlistment on 09 August 1915 at Warwick Farm, Sydney.
Alfred was enlisted in the 2nd Battalion on 11 August 1915 and subsequently
transferred "on strength" to the 54th Battalion on 20 April 1916, at Ferry
Post. On 19 June 1916, Alfred embarked H.T. Caledonian at Alexandria, to
join the B.E.F. On 29 June 1916 he disembarked at Marseilles, France.
On 20 July 1916, Alfred was wounded in action and was admitted to the 8th
Field Ambulance, with gunshot wounds to the legs. Alfred was transferred the
next day to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, in the Field, where
he died later that day. For his service, Alfred was awarded 1 British War
Medal and 1 Victory Medal, which were forwarded to his widow, Clara. A
Memorial Plaque and a Memorial Scroll were also issued.
Alfreds effects which were also later forwarded to Clara, were, 4 letters, 2
postcards, 2 coins, a leather pocket book, testament, photo, writing case
and pencil.
More About Alfred Edward Keed:
Burial: Abt. 21 July 1916, Bailleul Communal Cemetery And Extension, France (pictured left)
Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds to the legs
Medical Information: Alfreds height was 5 foot, 6 and 3/4 inches, his weight
132 lbs. His fully expanded chest measurement was 37 inches. He had a fair
complexion, hazel eyes, good eyesight and brown hair.
Service Records
Occupation: 04 August 1915, Carpenter
Religion: 04 August 1915, Church of England
Residence: 04 August 1915, More St Coogee, Sydney, NSW, Australia
This information kindly provided by:
Geoffrey C Keed
gkeed@powerup.com.au
