PIPER, Keith Stuart Mackenzie (1894-1915).JPG)
K S M Piper (War Service).
Keith Stuart Mackenzie Piper was born 9 January 1894, the son of Richard Piper and Jeanne nee McKenzie, of Canterbury, and educated at Geelong College and Scotch College, Melbourne.
At the time of his enlistment with 2 Battalion (550) on 17 August 1914 he was working as a jackeroo in New South Wales. He embarked from Sydney on
HMAT A23 Suffolk on 18 October 1914 with the first contingent, and was at the Landing as a sergeant on 25 April 1915. He was killed on 8 May 1915, and his grave is in Beach Cemetery, Anzac - Grave I.A.22. His service was conducted by the Rev James Green (of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, and Newtown, NSW).
Keith Piper’s epitaph reads:
‘WAR KNOWS NO POWER
SAFE SHALL BE MY GOING’
Two letters held by the National Archives show how information can be misconstrued, the first from the mother of a friend, Mrs I C Cox, Lavender Farm, Woodend,
‘My reason for enquiring about next of kin (of) Sergeant Piper, B Coy., 2nd Battalion, 1st AIF, was that he was in my son’s camp in Sydney & I got to know him there. They were mates right there & he died beside my son on 25th April – saying last words to him – which I feel would be gratefully received by a mother, if he had one. Neither my son nor I know anything of his people, and my only way was to enquire for next of kin. Yours truly IC Cox. I am sorry I did not know this statement of reason was necessary. ' The second letter was from his step-brother at Broken Hill,
'I have heard that my step-brother Keith Stuart Mackenzie Piper, the son of the late (Captain) Richard Piper, Mine Manager, was killed in France. I never knew that he had enlisted, and have heard through a stranger. I doubt whether it is true or not so if you could help me to find out I would be ever grateful to you. I last heard of my brother from a place called Quambatook or something like it, in Victoria. So trusting you will do your best for me in getting the information. I remain yours in anticipation, William Arnold Piper, c/- BHP Coy., Broken Hill, NSW.' His parents both died before the war, his next of kin was his sister, Sheila Piper. His Roll of Honour Particulars on the Australian War Memorial website indicate that his uncles served in the AIF, Pte A W Mackenzie and RSM H Mackenzie. A cousin, Lt R A Austin, 1 Sqn AFC, was also awarded the Military Cross.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. pp88-90 (citing Australian War Memorial; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; F M Cutlack, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 Vol. VIII Australian Flying Corps; Photo Pegasus August, 1915.)