TOPIC:

David, Frank, Henk,Justin,Meurig,Paul (alphabetical ).
Thanks for the posts to this Topic. I did contact Dewald and he emailed me the documents relating to Cpl/Sjt. H.Keys of the SA Irish and 3rdSAI. In the SA Irish, as no.74, he progressed quickly through the ranks to Sgt. In GSWA, the SA Irish are noted in one of my reference books as entering Karibib on 05051915 on the way to capturing the "all important wireless station at Windhoek". The Cambridge History of the British Empire described the GSWA campaign as "one of the neatest and most successful campaigns of the Great War. At small cost and with great credit to itself, the Union had rendered an immense service to the Empire".
Hugh Keys at 38 yoa, attested for service in the 3rd SAI on 19081915 as no. 808 in 12pn, C Coy, 3rd SAI. His Casualty Form shows movement to France and a brush with Authority where he was reduced to the ranks on the 10061916 and served three months Field Punishment No.1 (two months of that sentence and time awaiting trial remitted by G.O.C.). The 1st SA Inf. Bde was ordered to attack Delville Wood on 15071916 and "take it at all costs". That they did and held it in a nightmare of attack, counterattack and artillery barrage until the survivors were relieved on 20071916. Hugh Keys was not one of the survivors. He was recorded as "Missing" on 01081916 and "accepted as dead" on the same date. It is my assumption that it took some time to Call the Roll after relief and that the immediate noting of "accepted as dead" was made after witness testimony. Like many others in the Great War, Hugh Keys has no known grave.
I think Frank summed up the military career of Hugh Keys quite well; he took part in the Great Ride to relieve Kimberley, he was a Wepener defender at a critical moment in the ABW, he helped deny the enemy their critical wireless station in GSWA and he faced the worst of industrial warfare in Devil's Wood.
My tribute to Hugh Keys: Soldier of the Empire.

Morning Ian,
Can you just clarify that regarding Delville, what exactly does casualty card /paper say, are you saying he was actually missing on or prior to Thursday 20th of July 1916, or, are you saying he was actually posted missing after that date.
Regards Frank

Frank
The casualty card says; "1.8.16 - indecipherable - missing - field - squiggle 1916"
The next (last) line on the card says; "2090c - accepted as dead - 15/20.7.16 - records 4/2041".
The Statement of Services says "Missing - 1.8.16" and next line says "accepted as dead 1.8.16". As I said in #26233, Keys was posted as missing and accepted as dead on the one date. Given the circumstances of Delville Wood, I would think that a roll call would not be available until relief.
Regards
IL.

Hi
Did Dewald send through copies of his Medical File as well? There may be further clues, although I think his Death Certificate would also give the assumed date of death.
Henk

Hello Ian,
That was what you had missed out which was why I asked the question.
Regards Frank

LinneyI wrote: The next (last) line on the card says; "2090c - accepted as dead - 15/20.7.16 - records 4/2041".

Henk
I was sent the MIC for the 15/15 Star and that for the BWM/VM (the latter card has an official looking stamp CHAMBER OF MINES in one line over MISSING 1.8.16). I really don't know what the Chamber of Mines has to do with it. Ideas? The other docs I was sent include a Record Cover with attestation forms and casualty forms and Statement of Services.
Frank.
I thought I covered it pretty well but .... mea culpa.
IL.