James Roy Keirl was born in Ballarat and was a Railway Employee by trade when he enlisted in the 8th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement on 8 February 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 17 April 1915. On August 12th while in Egypt, he was admitted to hospital suffering from sun stroke. By September it was determined he should return home on the Ulysses, and he disembarked at Melbourne on September 30th. On February 1st 1916, just a week short of a year since his enlistment, he was discharged as æmedically unfit – epilepsy'. Four months later on May 17th 1916 he re-enlisted, was passed fit, and was soon reposted to the 8th Battalion. On July 27th he once again embarked for active service abroad, this time on the Themistocles. Illness caused him to disembark at Cape Town, and once more he was assessed as unfit to proceed any further. He was returned to Australia aboard the Marathon, and disembarked at Melbourne on September 24th 1916. A month later he was discharged æmedically unfit – disability – epileptic fits'.
Tree No 451