George Ernest Howard Keesey

Biography

George was born on the 19th June 1886, the eldest of two sons born to the Reverend George Walter Keesey, a Congregational Minister, and Mrs. Annie Keesey. The family lived in Willesden Green when George was born but later moved to 57 Torrimore Road and subsequently 47 Grosvenor Park, both in Newington, London. The younger brother of George, Edward Walter, was born in 1887. Also living with the family in Newington was the grandmother of the boys, Sarah Keesey. At both addresses they had a servant and a boarder. In the early 20th century the family moved to Fisherflatt, Natland.

George Ernest Howard was educated at Saint Olaves Grammar School, Orpington where he was the School Captain in 1904 his final year. In 1905 he went to Downing College, Cambridge where he gained a B.A. in Natural Sciences with first class honours and later an M.A. There is little known of his time at University though it is believed that he may have been in a rowing team. He was an excellent teacher at Kendal Grammar School for three years and afterwards as Science Master at Wellington College, Crowthorne, West Berkshire.

At Wellington he was assistant master and became deputy tutor for Benson House. He was much involved in the debating and natural science societies. He also held a commission in the Officer Training Corps and following the outbreak of hostilities he began active service in October 1914 as a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain in September 1915. Earlier in the same year he had been slightly wounded but returned to his unit as a company commander. He was described by the Colonel of the Battalion as the best in the Battalion.

In the house next door to Fisherflatts, Helm Bank, lived the Swinglehursts, a family from Ireland. On the 27th August 1913 George, 27, married Violet Marian Swinglehurst, aged 31, in St. Mark’s Church. On the 11th December 1915 they had their only child, John Howard who was baptised 20 days later. It is doubtful that George saw his son more than once before his death eight months later. Sadly John died in the Second World War.

Service Record

George held a commission in the Officer Training Corps at Wellington College. Following the outbreak of hostilities he began active service in October 1914 as a Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain in September 1915. Earlier in the same year he had been slightly wounded but returned to his unit as a company commander.

How They Died

Delville Wood was the scene of intensive and bloody fighting. The South African Brigade were ordered to take the Wood. They captured most of it but sustained severe casualties. To this day there is a permanent memorial in Delville Wood to the sacrifice of the South Africans which also serves as a reminder to their sacrifice in other conflicts.

The task of capturing the remainder of the Wood, the north west corner, was given to the 14th (Light) Division of which Captain George Ernest Howard Keesey’s 8th Battalion The Rifle Brigade was a member. He led his company as part of this operation but subsequently both he and his batman were found in a trench apparently killed instantly by an exploding shell. He died on the 24th August 1916 aged 30.

Where They Rest

He would have been buried in the area where he fell and according to the plaque in Church, erected by his family, this was Waterlot Farm just south of Delville Wood. The farm grew sugar beet and included a refinery plant. After the War bodies were moved from small plots to larger cemeteries. It is not clear why Captain Keesey’s body was moved to Serre Road Cemetery Number Two when there are much nearer cemeteries to where he fell, particularly Delville Wood. He is thus buried in grave XXV.L.8 at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2.

George Ernest Howard Keesey’s name is recorded on several memorials: St. Olave’s School, Downing College, Wellington College and St. John’s Church, Crowthorne. It is of course on the Natland Memorial, a memorial which his family designed and for which they substantially paid.