“I served with pride as many in my family did before me. That tradition of service, despite all that Aboriginal people were going through at that time, is what bonds me to them. It’s what I’m most proud of.”
– Chris Keyte
Chris Keyte
Chris Keyte
Wakka Wakka/Kabi Kabi
Lance Corporal
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Australian Army
Medals
Australian Active Service Medal with clasp Somalia
Australian Defence Medal
Meritorious Unit Citation – Somalia
Infantry Combat Badge
Returned from Active Service Badge
ACT Emergency Medal
“I was born in Southport, Queensland and raised in Brisbane. My Dad served in Borneo during the Malayan Emergency, my Uncles in Malaya, and Vietnam… and so joining the Army was always in the back of my mind as a young bloke. I enlisted in the Army on the 12th of June 1990, and was eventually posted to Delta Company 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) in Townsville.
Whilst serving with 1 RAR I completed Reconnaissance, Pioneers, Unarmed Combat and Subject courses for promotion. Always a keen sportsman, I played Rugby Union, Athletics and Touch Football whilst serving.
I served in Somalia in 1993 with Delta Company. Following that deployment, I was promoted and posted to Alpha Company.
Since discharge, I’ve been involved in small business, Corrections, Mining & the Australian Federal Police for many years. I’m now a Project Manager in the Health Services Industry and a proud grandfather.”
– Chris Keyte