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Frank McKeown

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Frank McKeown Veteran

Birth
Ku-ring-gai Council, New South Wales, Australia
Death
13 Sep 1926 (aged 31–32)
Blandford, Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales, Australia
Burial
Tamworth, Tamworth Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia GPS-Latitude: -31.0914955, Longitude: 150.9036865
Plot
Pbn, Z
Memorial ID
View Source
THE MURULLA RAILWAY DISASTER
Twenty-seven people lost their lives and 42 injured as a result of a midnight train collision in the Upper Hunter Valley on Sept. 13, 1926 near Murrurundi, New South Wales. Breaking away from a goods train at Murulla, four cars laden with wool dashed backwards down a gradient and crashed into the oncoming north-west mail train from Moree to Sydney. Many of the passengers were children returning to school from holiday. Sometimes referred to as the Blandford railway accident, as the crash occurred before the community of Brandford,in an area bordered by both Brandford and Murulla districts.

Son of Ebenezer McKeown and Eliza Alice (MacIntosh) McKeown.

3012 Dvr Anzac, WWI

Age 32 years.

IN MEMORIAM
MR. FRANK McKEOWN.
On the beautiful morning of Sunday, October 10, within sight of the ever restless sea, there gathered at the Coorabell Methodist Church — Newrybar Bangalow circuit — a very large congregation of all creeds to pay tribute to the memory of one who was well-known and much loved. On the 13th September, the tragic railway smash at Murrula occurred, and one of the victims was Mr. Frank McKeown, a former resident at Coorabell. The sadness of the disaster came close to many homes in this district; indeed, wherever Frank was known there was the silent tear in the mourner's heart. The Rev. W. B. Rod en conducted the memorial service, and said that the words of his text: ' Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him,' appeared to be most appropriate concerning the life they were that day honouring. Born 33 years ago at Pymble, Frank McKeown inherited some of the fine qualities of the McKeown ancestry which, is still revered on the North Shore. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer McKeown [than in the course of life's varied path, lived at Belford, Hunter River district, and some of Frank's associates of those days refer to his consistent Christian life. He had thoughts even of the Christian ministry. Eight years ago the family came to the Richmond - River, and Methodism has cause to rejoice for his winning interest in her work. A trustee of the local church, superintendent of the Sunday school, congregational representative to the circuit quarterly meeting, an honoured member of the local '' Masonic Lodge, Frank McKeown held aloft the ideals which are lovely and of good report. During the' Empire's need, he responded to the call, and as a 'Digger' he maintained his walk with God. Here is a story regarding him which is absolutely . authentic. One day on a battlefield of France — behind the lines waiting — a number of diggers were discussing various themes, and the conversation gathered round Private Jacka, V.C., etc. They reckoned his was splendid valour, and admiration was expressed regarding his bravery, when a lanky Queenslander spoke thus: 'Boys, I agree with what you have said about Jacka, he is worthy of all he has earned — but . .there is a chap here who is entitled to the V.C. as well as Jacka.' 'Who?' 'Well, there's McKeown, every night he reads his Bible and kneels down to say his prayers — which of us would do it? We haven't the pluck he has'; and that, Mr. Editor, was a great, sincere tribute from men who wese quick to honour the true as well as detect the false. And after that it became possible for Frank to gather messmates of an evening, read a chapter, and they looked for it. He was clean in thought, word, and deed. He loved the things of God. He was a Christian gentleman. He revelled in nature; 'For he had loved the birds, the bees, And sensed fair Nature's call, To live the creed of Him Who sees, Christ's brotherhood in^ all.' Indeed, his personality included much of the Christian mystic. At the close of a communion service one sunlit morning, the writer, in the course of a conversation with Frank, had a glimpse of his soul and the quality of his thoughts. Religion did not cramp his life, and many have testified to the help of his cheery outlook and happy smile. Two years ago he went to Dungowan, in the Tamworth district, with his bees, where he established an apairy, his aim being to make a home for his parents. His exhibit of honey, etc., prepared, on the eve of his death' for the Singleton Show, was unique, but the mind and hands that fashioned were removed that night instantly to the 'perfect presence of His face, which we, for lack of words, call Heaven.' His body was laid to rest in the Tamworth Cemetery, a beautiful service being held in the church by the Rev. P. L. Black, while fellow Diggers and townspeople in great numbers were present at the graveside. Frank's friends, the bees, were there — strange intuition — and sipped the flowers on his coffin, and next day they gathered in swarms. His parents, sister, and brothers, in their great sorrow, have been sustained by much prayer and cheered by the numerous tributes to his splendid life, and men have expressed their resolve to do better, by God's grace and live as Frank McKeown lived. As an example of his thoughtfulness and unselfishness, his will — made some time ago — included a beautiful letter to his parents, thanking them for all they had done for him. Our church is poorer — but his memory and influence still lives on behalf of the Master. We place the sprig of acacia — the forget-me-not— on his grave in loving remembrance of friendship enjoyed here, to be renewed in the land beyond the sea.


The Methodist
Sydney, NSW
Saturday 6 November 1926, p.17

__________
Other Deaths:
ACKLAND, Catherine Sarah (Ireland), Scone Catholic Cemetery
ADAMS, Arthur Edgar, South Head Cemetery
ANDERTON, Azubah (Davison), Helensburgh Cemetery
BRUSH, Alfred Charles "Stumpy", Moree Cemetery
DOYLE, Janet, Quirindi General Cemetery
DUNBAR, John, Scone Anglican Cemetery
FRIPP, Ada Methven, Murrurundi General Cemetery
GARLAND, Elizabeth, Haydonton Cemetery
GILES, John, Penrith General Cemetery
GILES, Sarah A (Price), Penrith General Cemetery
JEFFERSON, Albert, Sandgate Cemetery
JURD, Arthur George Oswald, Moree Cemetery
MALLETT, Sydney Sustains, Rookwood Cemetery
MALONE, Kathleen, Rookwood Cemetery
McDONALD, Emily, Carlingford Anglican Cemetery
McGRATH, Owen Vincent, Waverley Cemetery
McKEOWN, Frank, Tamworth Cemetery
McMILLAN, Walter Kenneth, Waverley Cemetery
MOCKRIDGE, John Reuben, Rookwood Necropolis and Taita Cemetery
NOLLER, Stanley Augustus, Mays Hill Cemetery
RICH, Howard J., Sandgate Cemetery
VAGIANIS, Peter, Murrurundi General Cemetery
SAMPSON, Olive Clarice, Gunnedah General Cemetery
WALKER, John Errol, Sandgate Cemetery
WALKER, Helen "Nellie" (Pollock), Sandgate Cemetery
WILSON, William H., Haydonton Cemetery
WILSON, Flora Dundas (Campbell), Haydonton Cemetery

..................................................................................................
THE MURULLA RAILWAY DISASTER
Twenty-seven people lost their lives and 42 injured as a result of a midnight train collision in the Upper Hunter Valley on Sept. 13, 1926 near Murrurundi, New South Wales. Breaking away from a goods train at Murulla, four cars laden with wool dashed backwards down a gradient and crashed into the oncoming north-west mail train from Moree to Sydney. Many of the passengers were children returning to school from holiday. Sometimes referred to as the Blandford railway accident, as the crash occurred before the community of Brandford,in an area bordered by both Brandford and Murulla districts.

Son of Ebenezer McKeown and Eliza Alice (MacIntosh) McKeown.

3012 Dvr Anzac, WWI

Age 32 years.

IN MEMORIAM
MR. FRANK McKEOWN.
On the beautiful morning of Sunday, October 10, within sight of the ever restless sea, there gathered at the Coorabell Methodist Church — Newrybar Bangalow circuit — a very large congregation of all creeds to pay tribute to the memory of one who was well-known and much loved. On the 13th September, the tragic railway smash at Murrula occurred, and one of the victims was Mr. Frank McKeown, a former resident at Coorabell. The sadness of the disaster came close to many homes in this district; indeed, wherever Frank was known there was the silent tear in the mourner's heart. The Rev. W. B. Rod en conducted the memorial service, and said that the words of his text: ' Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him,' appeared to be most appropriate concerning the life they were that day honouring. Born 33 years ago at Pymble, Frank McKeown inherited some of the fine qualities of the McKeown ancestry which, is still revered on the North Shore. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer McKeown [than in the course of life's varied path, lived at Belford, Hunter River district, and some of Frank's associates of those days refer to his consistent Christian life. He had thoughts even of the Christian ministry. Eight years ago the family came to the Richmond - River, and Methodism has cause to rejoice for his winning interest in her work. A trustee of the local church, superintendent of the Sunday school, congregational representative to the circuit quarterly meeting, an honoured member of the local '' Masonic Lodge, Frank McKeown held aloft the ideals which are lovely and of good report. During the' Empire's need, he responded to the call, and as a 'Digger' he maintained his walk with God. Here is a story regarding him which is absolutely . authentic. One day on a battlefield of France — behind the lines waiting — a number of diggers were discussing various themes, and the conversation gathered round Private Jacka, V.C., etc. They reckoned his was splendid valour, and admiration was expressed regarding his bravery, when a lanky Queenslander spoke thus: 'Boys, I agree with what you have said about Jacka, he is worthy of all he has earned — but . .there is a chap here who is entitled to the V.C. as well as Jacka.' 'Who?' 'Well, there's McKeown, every night he reads his Bible and kneels down to say his prayers — which of us would do it? We haven't the pluck he has'; and that, Mr. Editor, was a great, sincere tribute from men who wese quick to honour the true as well as detect the false. And after that it became possible for Frank to gather messmates of an evening, read a chapter, and they looked for it. He was clean in thought, word, and deed. He loved the things of God. He was a Christian gentleman. He revelled in nature; 'For he had loved the birds, the bees, And sensed fair Nature's call, To live the creed of Him Who sees, Christ's brotherhood in^ all.' Indeed, his personality included much of the Christian mystic. At the close of a communion service one sunlit morning, the writer, in the course of a conversation with Frank, had a glimpse of his soul and the quality of his thoughts. Religion did not cramp his life, and many have testified to the help of his cheery outlook and happy smile. Two years ago he went to Dungowan, in the Tamworth district, with his bees, where he established an apairy, his aim being to make a home for his parents. His exhibit of honey, etc., prepared, on the eve of his death' for the Singleton Show, was unique, but the mind and hands that fashioned were removed that night instantly to the 'perfect presence of His face, which we, for lack of words, call Heaven.' His body was laid to rest in the Tamworth Cemetery, a beautiful service being held in the church by the Rev. P. L. Black, while fellow Diggers and townspeople in great numbers were present at the graveside. Frank's friends, the bees, were there — strange intuition — and sipped the flowers on his coffin, and next day they gathered in swarms. His parents, sister, and brothers, in their great sorrow, have been sustained by much prayer and cheered by the numerous tributes to his splendid life, and men have expressed their resolve to do better, by God's grace and live as Frank McKeown lived. As an example of his thoughtfulness and unselfishness, his will — made some time ago — included a beautiful letter to his parents, thanking them for all they had done for him. Our church is poorer — but his memory and influence still lives on behalf of the Master. We place the sprig of acacia — the forget-me-not— on his grave in loving remembrance of friendship enjoyed here, to be renewed in the land beyond the sea.


The Methodist
Sydney, NSW
Saturday 6 November 1926, p.17

__________
Other Deaths:
ACKLAND, Catherine Sarah (Ireland), Scone Catholic Cemetery
ADAMS, Arthur Edgar, South Head Cemetery
ANDERTON, Azubah (Davison), Helensburgh Cemetery
BRUSH, Alfred Charles "Stumpy", Moree Cemetery
DOYLE, Janet, Quirindi General Cemetery
DUNBAR, John, Scone Anglican Cemetery
FRIPP, Ada Methven, Murrurundi General Cemetery
GARLAND, Elizabeth, Haydonton Cemetery
GILES, John, Penrith General Cemetery
GILES, Sarah A (Price), Penrith General Cemetery
JEFFERSON, Albert, Sandgate Cemetery
JURD, Arthur George Oswald, Moree Cemetery
MALLETT, Sydney Sustains, Rookwood Cemetery
MALONE, Kathleen, Rookwood Cemetery
McDONALD, Emily, Carlingford Anglican Cemetery
McGRATH, Owen Vincent, Waverley Cemetery
McKEOWN, Frank, Tamworth Cemetery
McMILLAN, Walter Kenneth, Waverley Cemetery
MOCKRIDGE, John Reuben, Rookwood Necropolis and Taita Cemetery
NOLLER, Stanley Augustus, Mays Hill Cemetery
RICH, Howard J., Sandgate Cemetery
VAGIANIS, Peter, Murrurundi General Cemetery
SAMPSON, Olive Clarice, Gunnedah General Cemetery
WALKER, John Errol, Sandgate Cemetery
WALKER, Helen "Nellie" (Pollock), Sandgate Cemetery
WILSON, William H., Haydonton Cemetery
WILSON, Flora Dundas (Campbell), Haydonton Cemetery

..................................................................................................

Gravesite Details

Information from Australia Birth Index, 1894; Australia Death Index, 1926.



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  • Maintained by: Lucas
  • Originally Created by: T.V.F.T.H.
  • Added: Feb 23, 2010
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48588211/frank-mckeown: accessed ), memorial page for Frank McKeown (1894–13 Sep 1926), Find a Grave Memorial ID 48588211, citing Tamworth General Cemetery, Tamworth, Tamworth Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Lucas (contributor 50499237).