Thomas Keetley
Thomas Kettley worked as a van man for the Cooperative Society before becoming a brewer's labourer.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Thomas Keetley was born in 1882 at Nottingham, he was the son of Robert Keetley born in 1861 in Nottingham, working as a carter. his mother: Mary Ann Keetley born in 1861 in Nottingham. His siblings Joseph, born in 1885, working as a clerk, John, born in 1894, working as a beer bottler and Billy, born in 1902. Sisters: Florrie, born in 1888, working as a cigar stripper and Lily, born in 1898. All the children were born in Nottingham.
The family lived at 13 Ford Street, Nottingham.
Thomas Keetley married Gertrude Barton (born 4th November 1882 Nottingham) they were married in 1903 at Nottingham they lived at 19 Radnor Street, Peas Hill Road, Nottingham, and had two sons, Thomas Albert, born 18th September 1906 in 1907 and George Robert, born in 4th October 1910 and a daughter ertrude Winifred born 8th February 1912.
In the 1911 census the family are living at 19 Radnor Street, Nottingham, Thomas 28 yrs is a van man for the co operative society, he is living with his wife Gertrude 28 yrs and their sons Thomas Albert 4 yrs and George Robert 6 months of age.
Commencing 11th November 1918 his widow was awarded a pension of 29 shillings and 7 pence a week.
Private Thomas Keetley was called up for service, and attested on 6th July 1916 at Derby giving his address as 19 Radnor Street, Notingham, he was 34 yrs and 201 dyas old, he was a labourer. He was posted to 3rd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Following training he was drafted to France, arriving on 5th November 1916.
He was sent to Infantry Base Depot No.12 before being posted on to 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on 6th November 1916.
The battalion were involved in the fighting during the Battle of Lys when the German field army attempted to break through to the Channel ports. They failed but in the heavy fighting that followed Keetley was killed in action whilst acting as a stretcher bearer. His body was never recovered but his name was commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
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