Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of  George and Rebecca CRIBB.

Private Keith Norman Cribb, who was killed in action, was born at West Maitland, and when his parents came to live in Muswellbrook in 1896 was a babe in arms.  He was educated at the local Convent School and would have been 19 years of age in October next.  He was employed in the Tramway Department, Sydney, at the time he volunteered, and when (with his father's consent) he enlisted he had not reached his eighteenth year.  He belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, Australian Expeditionary Force, that was for several months stationed in Egypt, was in the historic landing at Gallipoli, on the 28th April last, and had since been in active service upt to the time of his death.   He had been twice wounded, slightly at first, and the cable gram received by his father stated that it was between the 7th and 12th August he had been killed in action.  His brother, William, 22 years of age, enlisted with him, and has for some time been engaged in the transport service between Egypt and Gallipoli.  

The late Private Cribb had always been a well-conducted lad, and his parents have comforting recollections of his good qualities and general worth.  A melancholy conincidence was that the last letter from him was received by his parents on the morning of the 2nd instant, and on the same day came the official intimation that he had been killd.  His father says that after reading his letter on Thursday, we went to his work with a lifht heart that was made heavy by the sad cable message he received shortly afterwards.  Such, however, is the fortune of war but an honourable death on the battlefield for country and liberty is a matter of lasting gratification, as well as natural grief.  The letter from the deceased soldier was as follows:-

"Just a line to let you know that I am still alive and doing very well.  I have not had a letter from you for a very long time.  Since I have been in action only one letter from home reached me, which surprises me, as I have written six to you, and have not received any replies.  I am in the best of health over here.  I was hit in the hip, but not hurt much.  The wounds were dressed, and are well now.  It is very hot here at present.  I was that one of the Haydon's was wounded.  I was told that brother Willie was on the field, but I have not found him so far.  I do not know what battalion he is in.  Writing pater is very scarce here, and I would like you to send me some.  I can't put much in this letter, because the Censor may stop it, and I want to make sure you will get it.  Well mother, I sens love to all at home, and also to all my friends.  Good-bye."

The father of the deceased, Mr. Goerge Cribb, says that numerous letters had been sent to his son Keith, also parcels of writing pater and clothing, which he, like many other soldiers from Australia, who have written home from Gallipoli, did not receive.  This is a serious complaint, which has also been made by another Muswellbrook lad, Private Val Campbell, should be promptly investigated by the Defence Department.