Remembrance - The Yorkshire Regiment, First World War RSM Harold KEETLEY, MC. 7449 Close window to return to main page

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Regimental Serjeant Major Harold KEETLEY, MC. 7449.
7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas John Keetley, of 155, Eyre St., Sheffield; husband of Alice Keetley, of 12, Ruskin Square, Heeley, Sheffield. Killed 14 May 1917. Aged 33.
Born Sheffield, Enlisted Sheffield.
Commemorated on Bay 5, ARRAS MEMORIAL.

Richard Houghton (<secretarylbmhs@gmail.com>) has provided the following information on RSM Harold Keetley, MC. However, if anyone is able to provide further information we would be very pleased to receive it.

Harold Keetley's attestation papers are shown below;-

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Harold Keetley was originally in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. A photograph of a group from this battalion was photographed in September 1914. In this photo Harold Keetley is the man sitting immediatly to the left of the soldier holding a notice, with his rifle across arm and butt on ground. This photo was provided by Richard Graham (<Richard.Graham@yorkshiredales.org.uk>).

Harold Keetley initially fought with this battalion and won the Military Cross in May 1915. The news item from "The People" newspaper, below, mentions the award of the MC (together with a photo of Harold Keetley).

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Harold Keetley was wounded in May 1915, fighting with the 2nd battalion. He was treated at Liverpool Hanhernanhan Hospital.
On discharge from hospital, he joined the 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and fought with them over the next two years (including at Fricourt in the Battle of the Somme in July 1916).

He lost his life fighting with the 7th Battalion in May 1917, and is commemorated on the ARRAS MEMORIAL.

 

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