CRICH PARISH

Crich, Fritchley, Whatstandwell, Bullbridge, Crich Carr, Coddington, Wheatcroft, Wakebridge

Wilfred Keeling

Lance Corporal

Photo Lea Mills postcard

Notes
Wilfred the second of four children was born to Arthur and Ann Keeling in September 1894 and was 17 months older than his brother Alfred. Wilfred enlisted at Derby on 5th December 1914 after a recruitment meeting at Tansley School in September 1914, just seven days before his 20th Birthday. Originally he was with the 19th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. Fourteen months later he was killed in action.

One of his brothers Alfred, who was the Royal Field Artillery, was also later killed. He had been awarded the Military Medal. Another brother George Keeling served with Royal Garrison Artillery. This was reported in the Derbyshire Courier 14 July 1917 and the Belper News 20 July 1917.

Keith Taylor, in his well-researched book "Matlock and the Great War 1914–1918" [Country Books ISBN 978-1-906789-38-1], wrote of Wilfred:

The Battalion entered the Battle of the Somme on the evening of lst/2nd July 1916, as they helped to push the advance through Fricourt Wood and continued in action throughout 4th July, until being relieved that evening and going into a tented Camp. All Of the men were issued with clean underclothes and baths were available at the local mill.
At 11-20am on 7th July, the men were ordered to move forward into Quadrangle Trench, ready for a fresh attack. The rain fell dreadfully and shelling by the enemy was severe and unabated. At 3pm the enemy shelling became more intense, resulting in many casualties and the men of "A" and "B" Companies were moved into shell holes to reduce the risk of being hit. The Battalion was ordered to attack at 8pm, after a 30 minute bombardment, but machine-gun fire from the flanks and the enemy barrage prevented the Battalion from advancing over the heavy ground and the order came for a withdrawal. Between 1st July and 8th July the 10th Battalion lost 15 officers and 366 men. One of those to die was Wilfred Keeling. Hit by shell fire, his body was not recovered.

Medal Card Index
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
Entered France 28/07/15
Killed in Action 07/07/16

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier 22 August 1916
TANSLEY MEN MISSING AND IN HOSPITAL
Mr and Mrs Alfred Keeling of Tansley are passing through a period of great anxiety owing to a report received officially from the Records Office, Lichfield that their son Lance-Corpl Wilfred Keeling, Sherwoods, is "missing" since 7 July. Pte Keeling enlisted in September 1914, and before thet time he was emplyed at Lea Mills as a presser. He played football with Tansley F.C. of which he acted as secretary. He is a single man 21 years of age and has been at the front for a year. Two brothers George and Alfred are serving in the R.G.A. and R.F.A. respectively.

The following is part of a long report on the Memorial Service to Second Lieutentant George Marsden-Smedly (also in Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal 8 September 1916 and Belper News 8 September 1916):

Derbyshire Courier 5 September 1916
MEMORIAL SERVICE
An impressive memorial service was held on Wednesday afternoon at Christ Church for the deceased officer and also for Lance Corporal Wilfred Keeling, of the Notts and Derbys, who was killed about 7 July and for Private Harold Marsh, who was killed on 12th of August. The officiating clergy were Canon Kewley, of Matlock, the Rev W Latham (late vicar of Lea) and the Rev G Wigram. The congregation was representative of all classes, striking testament of the esteem in which the deceased officer and his family are held in the district. The hymns specially selected for the occasion were “God the all terrible,” “Fight the good fight,” “For all the saints who from their labours rest,” and “O God of love, and King of peace,) the lessons were read by Cannon Kewley and an address was given by the Rev W L Latham. In consequence of the memorial service the works of J Smedley Ltd were closed on Wednesday afternoon.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Wilfred is remembered on several war memorials –

Photos Peter Patilla

The war memorial plaque outside Lea Mills

Matlock War Memorial

Matlock War Memorial
Front face Fred Gregory & Wilfred Keeling

W. Keeling
Plaque in St Giles Church, Starkholmes

Tansley Memorial plaque
Wilfred Keeling and his brother Alfred

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Matlock Cliff

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
Alfred J	Keeling	Head	34	House painter & paper hanger	Matlock
Sarah A	Keeling	wife	36		Matlock
George H	Keeling	son	8		Matlock
Wilfred	Keeling	son	6		Matlock
Alfred	Keeling	son	4		Matlock
Ruby	Keeling	daughter	2		Matlock

RG13 piece 3267 folio 63 page 41

1911: Matlock Cliff

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
Alfred John	Keeling	Head	45	House painter	Matlock
Sarah Ann	Keeling	wife	47		Matlock
George Henry	Keeling	son	18	House painter	Matlock
Wilfred	Keeling	son	16	Mill operator, hosiery	Matlock
Alfred	Keeling	son	14	Mill operator tapes	Matlock
Ruby	Keeling	daughter	12	School	Matlock
William	Keeling	son	4		Matlock

RG14PN21209 RG78PN1262 RD439 SD2 ED11 SN241

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