Tip Kelaher was born in Sydney in December, 1914. In 1940 he enlisted in the 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion and later that year sailed for the Middle East. In the Palestine camp of Khassa, Tip turned his hand to writing poetry.

This first and acclaimed poem The Digger Hat captured the spirit of the AIF.

Subsequently he wrote several poems while on leave in which he poured his longing for home and his love for the Australian Bush. Some of these poems were published by The Bulletin and distinguished him as a balladist of great potential.

Tip was tragically killed at EL Alamein on 14 July 1942 in action at the Battle for Egypt.



Tip Kelaher, who was born in Bronte, Sydney in 1914. In 1940 he enlisted in the 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion and sailed for the Middle East later that year. Tip turned his hand to writing poetry while overseas, with his first being the acclaimed poem 'The Digger Hat' which captured the spirit of the A.I.F. Subsequently he wrote several poems while on furlough in which he poured his longing for home and his love for the Australian Bush. Some of these were published by The Bulletin back home and distinguished him as a balladist of great potential. Unfortunately, On 14th July, 1942 Tip Kelaher was in a trench near the railway line at Tel el Eisa when he was fatally shot by a German machine gun.
Tip's younger brother, Emmott was killed at Alamein, in November of the same year.
The Australian War Memorial still holds three original hand written drafts of three poems by 'Tip' Kelaher relating to service in the Middle East including the award winning poem 'The Digger Hat'.
The Digger Hat and Other Verses contains many of those poems written by Kip while overseas. There is some minor staining and age discolouration to the paper, but overall in good condition, no pages missing. Spine is in good condition. The front cover has what appears to be a water stain across it, but there is no water damage to the contents of the book, only very slight staining to the edge of some pages.
Published by The Currawong Publishing Company, Sydney, 1942.