Keith Heritage

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Keith Heritage (1882–1916) was an Australian rower and army officer. Born in Longford, Tasmania, he grew up in a large family and became a top-level rower. He rowed for the Sydney Rowing Club and helped win the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in 1912. He was selected for the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, but was controversially replaced before the Games; the Australian eight competed as an Australasian crew and were eliminated.

Rowing career highlights:
- Won the Australian Interstate Regatta with Tasmania’s eight in 1909; finished third in 1910.
- Rowed for New South Wales with the Sydney Rowing Club in 1911 and helped NSW win the interstate title.
- Won the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in 1912 with the Sydney Rowing Club; previously selected for the Australian Olympic squad but replaced before the Games.

Military career:
- Had five years in the Tasmanian Infantry and six years in the Launceston Infantry before the war.
- Enlisted on 11 August 1914, reportedly the first Australian to volunteer for World War I. He joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force to remove Germany from German New Guinea.
- Later served as a lieutenant in the 19th Battalion, AIF. He landed at Gallipoli on 21 August 1915 and was promoted to captain. He helped with the evacuation from Gallipoli.
- On the Western Front in France, he led a raid on 25–26 June 1916 that earned him the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry. He was killed in action on 26 July 1916 at Pozieres, France, while tending to soldiers and sharing his food. He was buried in the field at Pozieres and is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial.

Family war service:
- Four of Heritage’s brothers also served in World War I. Francis Bede Heritage received the French Croix de Guerre and later headed the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Austin Heritage was awarded the Military Cross. Robert Heritage served with a pioneer battalion, and Stanley Heritage joined Canadian forces.

Legacy:
- Keith Heritage is remembered as a national rowing champion and a brave military officer. His name appears on the Pozières Memorial in France, and he is remembered by the Sydney Rowing Club for his contributions to sport and service.