|
|
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.
If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.
Site Home
Help & FAQs
Features
Submissions
Information
Advertisements
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Rifleman James William Keen
Army 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
from:22, Milton Rd., Herne Hill, London.
(d.14th Aug 1917)
In researching my family history I have discovered that James William Keen, of Camberwell, London, died aged just 20 in the Great War. James was the brother of my Great Nan, Lily. He served in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps 21st Battallion and is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having died on the 14th August 1917. James was a Rifleman. His grave is at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, although as someone whose knowledge of these things is very limited I don't know if that means that literally he is buried there or if the headstone is merely a memorial and that he lies elsewhere in an unknown grave.
My family history has led me to discover many sad stories, some of children passing in infancy, but it is James' death more than any other which reduces me to tears. I have made some enquiries online and it appears that James would have been engaged in battle at Passchendaele, about which I have learned a little more as a result. I am beginning to discover the full horrors of the first phase of the Battle of Ypres yet still I can barely take in what those poor men must have suffered.
I understand that there were no major battles on the 14th August 1917, which suggests, I'm told, that James may have died as a result of injuries sustained in the Battle of Pilckem or in the clearing operation following it. I shall probably never know how or why he died but if I can I should dearly like to find out as much as possible about the Kings Royal Rifle Corps during that time. A pacifist since my teens, I feel I owe it to all these men to understand the circumstances in which they lost their young lives and that my own children should be aware of how they suffered in order for us to have the freedom we take for granted. If anyone could help me in my quest to discover more I would be very grateful indeed.
Finally, I would just like to add that I learned that it must have been Passchendaele in which James died by posing a question on "Yahoo Answers". I got many replies, some far more detailed than one particular response, but it is that short one which will forever stick in my memory. The gentleman who answered said that he felt that Passchendaele was indeed the most likely, gave a little more information, then at the bottom added:
" R.I.P. James Keen, Soldier, 21st Batallion Kings Royal Rifle Group. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM."
Those few words, from a total stranger to a man I might have had the pleasure to have known and loved had the War not taken him from my family meant more than I can say. They may not have changed my beliefs as a pacifist, but I know that this November I shall, for the first time in 42 years, wear a poppy, and wear it with pride.
Related Content:
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did your relative live through the Great War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?
If so please let us know.
Do you know the location of a Great War "Roll of Honour?"We are very keen to track down these often forgotten documents and obtain photographs and transcriptions of the names recorded so that they will be available for all to remember.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Great War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.
This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.
If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.
Hosted by:
The Wartime Memories Project Website
is archived for preservation by the British Library
Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
- All Rights Reserved -We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.
