Ptes George Ross and Theo Leslie Seabrook, and Second Lte William Keith Seabrook, 17th Battalion
Australian War MemorialGeorge Seabrook was born on 14 February 1892, the eldest child of William and Fanny Seabrook. His brother Theo was born on 17 May 1893, and a third brother, William (known as “Keith”), was born on 24 March 1896. Although George was born in Grafton, Theo in Sydney, and Keith in Wollongong, the brothers spent their childhood in and around the Sydney suburb of Petersham.
George completed an apprenticeship with a manufacturer in Newtown but was working as a master painter at the outbreak of war. He was a widower, having married Winifred Kean in 1913, who died in January 1916. Theo was at the locomotive works at Eveleigh, stoking the fires of steam engines.
Keith was a lieutenant in the civilian militia forces. He had enlisted in August 1915, leaving his job as a telephonist. Because he was too young for an overseas commission, he served as a lieutenant at Casula, Liverpool, and Cootamundra.
In mid-1916, Keith decided to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. He was joined by George and Theo. They were posted to the 17th Battalion and, a period of training in Australia, left together on the Ascanius in October 1916.
By 1917, they were on the Western Front in France and then Belgium. All three proved able soldiers. In July 1917, Keith, then 21 years old, was commissioned as second lieutenant and given command of the 11th Platoon in C Company of the 17th Battalion.
On 20 September, the 17th attacked the German position in front of the town of Westhoek. The attack was recorded as being “entirely successful” and the battalion advanced almost a mile.
This battle, however, was devastating for the Seabrook family.
Lieutenant Keith Seabrook, pale and anxious, gave a final handshake to his batman, and left for the front line. As he was leading the men of his platoon in single file along the duckboards, a shell landed amongst them. Keith Seabrook suffered severe wounds from the blast. He made it to a casualty clearing station but nothing could be done, and the popular young officer died the following day.
In the breast pocket of his tunic was found a photograph of his mother.
As their younger brother was being evacuated from the battlefield, Privates George and Theo Seabrook were with the battalion as it launched its attack. Shortly afterwards, both were hit by the same artillery shell and were killed instantly.
Their bodies were never recovered from the battlefield. Today they are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. George was 25 years old, Theo, 24.
Keith Seabrook lies in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery beneath the epitaph chosen by his mother, who had lost three sons within 24 hours: “A willing sacrifice for the world’s peace”.
Meleah Hampton, Historian, Military History Section
Image: Portrait of 6147 Private (Pte) Theo Leslie Seabrook (left), Staff Sergeant (later 2nd Lieutenant) William Keith Seabrook (centre, rear), and 6174 Pte George Ross Seabrook, all members of the 17th Battalion, c. 1916
- Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2278407
