Thomas Keogh
THOMAS KEOGH
12903, Lance Corporal, Thomas Keogh, 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
Born in 1889 at Macclesfield, son of May Keogh No 1 Court, Water Street Macclesfield, In 1911, Thomas was working as a butcher and living at 84 Lord Street
Thomas attested at Macclesfield 31 August 1914, he gave his occupation as builders labourer and was a month short of his 25th birthday. His army medical records show him to have been five feet six inches tall, weighed 124lbs with a thirty four and a half inch chest measurement., grey eyes and brown hair. Within 6 months of joining the army, Thomas was in trouble with the Civil Authorities, he was arrested at Weston Super Mare 31/01/1915, for misconduct (unlawful assault), he was found guilty and sentenced to one months hard labour Soon, after serving his sentence, Thomas married Mary Gaskell at St. Peters Church, Macclesfield on July 12 1915, and she moved to 4 Upton Cottage, Snow Hill, Macclesfield. At this time was with the 9th Battalion, and it was with them he was posted to France, embarking from Folkstone 19 July 1915. On the 19 November 1915, he suffered badly from frostbite to the feet and was sent to the 1sty Scottish General Hospital in Aberdeen. Once he had recovered, he returned to the B.E.F. this time with the 10th Battalion, 19/05/1916 being appointed to Lance Corporal, 21/06/1916. In the August of that year he received a gunshot wound to the knee and returned to England for treatment at the 1st Southern General Hospital in Stourbridge, he died at 7pm on Thursday 17th August 1916.; his medical report stated he died as a result of gunshot wound to his knee and secondary haemorrhage; he was 26 years of age
Lance Corporal Keogh’s body was transported back to Macclesfield. The funeral procession which left Snow Hill as headed by a mixed band undeer the leadership of Mr. David Holt and four territorials from the local depot, Corporal J Hatton, Corporal J Radfirth, Lance Corporal J Wellings and Private J Usher, attended in the capacity as bearers. Sergeant J.G. Burns D.C.M. also walked with the procession. he coffin was covered with the Union Flag surmounted by the deceased’s cap, belt and bayonet. The obsequies were conducted by the Rev. father Curran in the presence of a large and sympathetic crowd, and the “Last Post” was sounded by Boy Scout Parker of the Christ Church Troop (3rd Macclesfield)
Medals 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Lance Corporal, Thomas Keogh is buried in Macclesfield Cemetery, Cheshire
C.W.G.C Ref J. 8653
Also refer to
- Macclesfield Troops pre WWI
- Photos from Barnswood archive Macclesfield WW1
- ‘Big Hats, Shorts and Dyb Dyb Dyb’ – a history of Macclesfield and Congleton Scouts by Norman Gosling
- WWI List of Addresses Trevor Druce Macclesfield Reflects
