Keeves Brothers

[Guest rik242]

Hi,

I am trying to find info on the movements of my great grandfather and his 2 brothers in the war. I anyone knows anything of these people or the movements of their units during the was I would be most greatful.

Keeves, Fred

Essex Regt, 1st Bttn, died 06/06/1915

Herbert, Keeves

Royal Garrison Artillery, 116th Hvy Bttn, dies 03/07/1918

George Keeves,

Somerset Light Infantry, 7th Bttn, died 04/07/1918

Many thanks in advance

Rick

[BRIAN TALMER]

Hi Rick

Fred Keeves Private 7753

1st Essex Bn.

Born at Walthamstow Essex

Enlisted at Warley Essex

Killed in Action in Gallipoli 6/6/1915

George Henry Keeves Private 38842

7th Bn Somerset L.I.

Born Hanslope Bucks

Enlisted in Oxford

Died of Wounds in France 4/7/1918

Herbert Keeves Private 29118

Royal Garrison Artillery

Born in St.Martin's Warwick

Enlisted in Birmingham

Killed in Action in France 3/7/1918

Formerly 43, of 127th Bristol Hvy Bty R.G.A.

Hope this is of help to

Cheers

Brian

[Chris_Baker]

You can look up the summary histories of each unit (although the Heavy Battery is not covered yet) by clicking on "The Long, Long Trail" at the top left of this page. When you are there, click on "Tommies", then on "Infantry". You can find the regiments listed, and follow your nose from there.

[BMoorhouse]

Hello Rick,

I wish you well in your search.

Regarding George Keeves who served with the 7th Somersets, he appears to have died in a German hospital (from where he is buried - see CWG internet site). The most likely reason for this (although I do not have definite information) is that he was injured and captured when the battalion was badly mauled in the German March 1918 offensive.

I say this as the battalion was withdrawn from the front line to be rebuilt after that battle and did not see any significant actions between March and July 1918. I am unaware of any unnacounted for soldiers being lost on patrols etc during this time.

You might be interested in my book 'Forged by Fire' that was published about a week ago, which deals with the battle tactics and soldiers of the 7th Somersets. (I hope that this does not infringe any commercialism rules on the forum - it is intended to help Rick!) The book only mentions George Keeves in a footnote, but might give you some more information on the battalion.

Another place to try is the Light Infantry Office in Taunton who hold some information. They are at 14 Mount Street, Taunton and were in the process of computerising their records to speed up individual research. They were working on 1st Som LI rolls the last time I visited. There are some battalion rolls for the 7th Somersets, but mostly early war.

I hope this helps.

Brendon Moorhouse.

[michaeldr]

Keeves, Fred

Essex Regt, 1st Bttn, died 06/06/1915

Rick,

Regarding Fred Keeves of 1st Bat. The Essex Regt. who died at Gallipoli on 06 June 1915. Have a look at Ray Weslake's book 'British Regiments at Gallipoli' where he relates as foll:

"Moved forward to Twelve Tree Copse sector (2nd June) and in Brigade Reserve trenches at start of attack(4th June). Sent forward 3.05 pm to reinforce 2nd Royal Fusiliers and 1st KOSB in captured line H12. Arthur Behrend was a young officer attached to the Essex from 1/4th East Lancs and in his book 'Make Me a Soldier' he recalls the advance as confused - companies and platoons soon loosing touch with each other. He heard the call for "stretcher bearers" all around, one RAMC man moving out to assist a wounded man and instantly having his head blown clean off by a shell case. Casualties - 2 officers, 9 other ranks killed, 2 officers, 36 other ranks wounded, 9 missing. Enemy counter attacked (6th June). Battalion historian, John Burrows records "stiff and confused fighting. 'Y' Company, 90 strong under Capt. Shepheard hung on to the last and only 25 of them returned." Fell back to trench H11. Casualties - Capt. Shepheard mortally wounded, 2 attached officers killed, 6 wounded, 3 missing; 16 other ranks killed, 31 wounded, 59 missing."

Hope that this helps and the best of luck with your research

Regards

Michael D.R.