page_title: Fred Keays
section_title: Immediate family war service
hierarchical_section_title: Fred Keays / Immediate family war service
caption_attribution_description: English: 1915 copy of Freds Enlistment Record for WW1
context_page_description: Frederick William Keays was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and Collingwood in the Victorian Football League. After his playing career, Fred competed in the 1927 Stawell Gift won by his rival at that time, Tom Miles. He was a trainer and committee member for Fitzroy spanning two decades until the Second World War. He served for a second time in WW2 having previously served and twice been wounded as a 16-year-old ANZAC in WW1.
  Keays eldest son, Desmond Charles Keays enlisted in 1941, was reported as missing in July 1942 and died in 1945 as a POW at Sandakan camp. Desmond is also remembered for paying the ultimate price for his country on the Fitzroy Football Club website – Fitzroy Football Club Anzac Day Tribute.
  Fred Keays' grandson Terry Keays also played Australian rules football with Collingwood. His great-grandson Ben Keays is a current Australian rules footballer with Adelaide.
context_section_description: In the Second World War, Fred Keays' family paid a heavy price. With nine children and one adopted son, five out of 11 immediate family members including Fred, served for their country, with one of the Keays men paying the ultimate sacrifice of life. Gerald Keays, Margaret (Peggy) E Keays, Desmond C Keays, Kevin R Couchman and Fred himself all served long periods from 1939 to 1948.
caption: 1915 Fred's enlistment record for WW1
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