James Keddell was born at Geelong, VIC on the 18^th of September 1891 to William Keddell and Eliza Amelia Allison.

James was a postal worker but was probably with the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery⁽⁴⁾ when he enlisted in the AIF, 15^th Reinforcements, 36^th Heavy Artillery Group on the 1^st of October 1917, aged nearly 26. He embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT A18 Wiltshire in February 1918, disembarking at Southampton, England in April.

In June 1918 he proceeded overseas to France and in April 1919 was granted two weeks leave in France. James embarked for Australia aboard the Chemnitz in July, returning to Australia in early September. He was discharged from the AIF later that month.

James died at Melbourne East, VIC in 1929, aged just 37.

He is listed on the Roll of Honour for Bacchus Marsh, held by the RSL at Bacchus Marsh and also the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour held by the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

1. Service No. should be 1186
2. His rank should say Gnr. (gunner) not Cnr.
3. The Australian Siege Artillery Brigade was an Australian Unit consisting of the 54^th and 55^th Batteries. On arrival in Europe it was renamed the 36^th Heavy Artillery Group, batteries 1 and 2. It was for a short time known as the 36^th Heavy Artillery Brigade.
4. His attestation form states that he was a postal worker and had served nine months in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery (RAGA). The embarkation roll states he was a soldier with the RAGA.