Private George Henry Keep
| Date of Birth | 14 January 1897 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 28 September 1915 |
| Service Number | G/10055 |
| Military Service | 13th Regiment, Middlesex Regiment |
| Merton Address | 7 Seaton Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
George Keep was born on 14th January 1897 while the family were living at 45 Cowper Road, Wimbledon. He was baptised together with his sister Emily at All Saints Church, South Wimbledon. His mother was named Mary Ann and his father was James William Keep, a labourer.
Theirs was a large family consisting of siblings Edward 20, Susan 22, Rose, 18, Joseph 12, Emily 1, Florence 10, and Robert aged 1. A further two children, James and Ellen had unfortunately died. The 1901 census also shows that their father James had died, and Mary Ann was left a widow. Mary was working as a launderess and had to raise 3-year-old George and the rest of the family on her own at their home in 17 Haydons Road, South Wimbledon.
By 1911 the family circumstances had changed. Mary had remarried to Charles Holloway, a bricklayer's labourer. The family were now living in a three roomed house at 39a De Burgh Road, Wimbledon. Mary Ann had stopped work, while Florence and Emily had followed in their mother’s footsteps and were employed as launderesses, probably at Bendon Laundry on Haydons Road. Robert was still at school and George was an errand boy at an oil shop.
In 1914, George married Esther Amelia Bird. They had one son who they named George Alfred Walter and who was born in 1915. He was baptised on 18 July 1915 while the couple were living at 7 Seaton Road, Mitcham.
George enlisted early in the war at Kingston with the 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own). Fortunately, George was able to see his son baptised before being sent to the front. His regiment sailed to Le Havre on 1 September 1915 on Troop Carrier SS Duchess of Argyle, landing at Le Havre.
The Battle of Loos (25 September - 8 October 1915) started not long after George was at the front. Sadly, George was one of 13 men from his regiment who were killed during that first month as he was killed in action on 28 September 1915.
His widow Esther received his last pay of £1.18.9 plus the War Gratuity of £3.00. She remarried to George Green in 1916.
George has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.