| Keller | Rudolph Henry | | Captain | KELLER, RUDOLPH HENRY, Captain, was born 12 June 1871. He was gazetted to the Derbyshire Regiment 21 November 1896, and became Lieutenant 21 November 1896. He served in the Tirah Campaign, 1897-98; was present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, and at the operations in the Bazar Valley 25 to 30 December 1897 (Medal with two clasps). He was Adjutant, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, 1 February 1900 to 31 January 1904, and became Captain 11 June 1900. Captain Keller served in the South African War, 1899-1901, taking part in operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria; operations in Orange River Colony; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River. He served as Adjutant, 1st Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, taking part in operations in the Transvaal, December 1900 to September 1901; was severely wounded; was present at operations in Cape Colony 30 November to December 1900. Captain Keller was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Rudolph Henry Keller, Captain, Derbyshire Regiment. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King 12 March, 1902. He retired from the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment 2 March 1910, entering the Reserve of Officers, and served in the European War, 1915 to 1918, as Commandant, Lines of Communication, from 1915. He became Major, Reserve of Officers, 26 June 1916; was given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army 7 February 1919, and received the OBE Lieutenant Colonel Keller married, in 1911, Florence Mary, only daughter of Peter Shaw, of Southampton.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Sherwood Foresters) Derbyshire Regiment |
