Robert’s occupation and marital status upon enlistment, was detailed as a driver, who was single.
- Date of Birth – 1 November 1884 in Araluen.1NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth – 15709/1885 Parents Francis R and Mary. Registered in Braidwood Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Parents – Francis Robert Geelan and Mary Connelly
- Enlisted – 31 July 1915, at Liverpool, Sydney, New South Wales. Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 2 November 1915.2University of NSW AIF project https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=108953 Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Regimental Number– 26443National Archives of Australia. https://www.naa.gov.au/. NAA: B2455, Geelan R M, Item ID– 4025052, Accessed 27 June 2026 and Karen Nelson, Marching Home to Braidwood. Braidwood RSL. UPS, Ulladulla, NSW. 2016. p 62 .
- Aged at embarkation – 314Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10333193 Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Military service – 18th Infantry Battalion, Rank – Private5Virtual War Memorial Australia, https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/49450 Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Serving in Egypt and on the Western Front, Robert was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
- Killed in Action, Menin Road, Belgium on 20 September 1917, aged 32 years.6Find a Grave.com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12046467/robert-michael-geelan. Robert Michael Geelan’s name is located at panel 85 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau file No https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1044753 Accessed 27 June 2026.
- Commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium7Commonwealth War graves. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/923704/robert-michael-geelan/ Accessed 27 June 2026.
Robert was the eldest son of Francis (Frank) Robert Geelan (1862-1932) and Mary Connelly (1862-1941). Frank and Mary were married in 1884 in Braidwood, and had eight children. Mary was born in Araluen, the daughter of Michael (1828-1910) and Margaret Connolly (1838-1929).
The Battle of the Menin Road was the first major Australian involvement in the series of attacks which began on 31 July 1917 and which are collectively known as ‘The Third Battle of Ypres’. On 20 September 1917, the Australians sustained 5,000 killed and wounded across the First and Second Divisions.
The Braidwood Review8Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW : 1914-1954), Tuesday 30 October 1917, p 7 ROLL OF HONOR published a notice on 30 October 1917 stating ‘GEELAN. — Killed in action in France on 20th September, 1917, Robert Michael (dear old Bob), dearly loved, eldest son of Frank and Mary Geelan, Lyall St., Leichhardt, aged 31 years.’
In October 1917, the Braidwood Review9Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW : 1914-1954), Tuesday 30 October 1917, p 2 ROLL OF HONOR; published ‘The news of the death of Robert Geelan, on active service in France, has been confirmed by the military authorities. This will cause a feeling of sadness to creep over many a friend in Braidwood, where “Bob” was so well and so favorably known…He was born in Araluen, received his primary education at the Public School, Braidwood, and later at the Superior Public School, Leichhardt. He served nine years in the Lands Titles Branch, Registrar-General’s Department, where his great capacity, intelligence, quick-thinking and ability to grasp the intricacies surrounding his special work, lent largely to his value in his official duties. He was subsequently employed in the Commonwealth Taxation Department, where his geniality, sterling qualities, and conduct were further recognised. He left here on the 2nd November 1915, did duty in Egypt, and arrived in France on March 16. He was wounded at Pozieres and invalided to England. After becoming convalescent he went in to the school of instruction, Tidworth, England, and passed his examination, obtaining 190 marks out of a possible 220, and promotion. He arrived back in France on the 21st June this year to receive his fatal blow on the 20th of September, after three months’ hard going. His was a career that no Braidwoodite need be ashamed of. He was 31 [32] years of age when the end came.’
Robert’s brother Francis John Geelan (1894-1936) was born on 13 April 1894, enlisted on 11 April 1915, Liverpool, NSW served with the 14th Light Horse Regiment (Service Number 382), and returned to Australia on 24 July 1919.10Virtual War Memorial Australia https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/350502 Accessed 27 June 2026.
Robert’s father, Frank Robert Geelan enlisted at Warwick Farm on 4 September 1915, noting he was a labourer, married and aged 44 years and 10 months. (Service Number 5100)11Virtual War Memorial Australia https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/117533 Accessed 27 June 2026. He was actually aged 53, returned to Australia and was discharged 18 September 1916 as medically unfit due to rheumatism. Frank then re-enlisted at Warwick Farm on 31 July 1917, noting he was married with seven children and aged 44 years and 11 months. He was then declared unfit for service as he was overage.