George Keetley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Keetley was born in 1895 at Newark and was the son of the late Thomas a brewers labourer and Ann Keetley née Hollis they lived at 8 Spittal Row Northgate Newark Nottinghamshire. His father Thomas was born in 1849 at Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire and his mother Ann Hollis was born in 1861 at Newark, they were married in 1878 their marriage was recorded in the Newark Registration district, they went on to have 9 children, sadly one died in infancy or early childhood, their children were Samuel b1879, William b1881, Henry b1887 ,Charles b1888, Eliza b1891, Frank b1893 and George b1895, all the children were born in Newark except William born in Clayton Lincolnshire. His father Thomas died aged 53 yrs in 1902 at Newark. In the 1911 census the family are shown living at 8 Spital Row, Northgate, Newark and are shown as Ann 49 yrs a widow and cleaner at a brewery, she is living with her children, Sam 32 yrs a labourer, Charles 23 yrs a millwrights labourer, Eliza 20 yrs no occupation listed, Frank 18 yrs a foundry moulder and George 16 yrs a foundry moulder.
Lance Corporal George Keetley enlisted at Newark, he served with the 10th battalion Sherwood Foresters. He landed in France on28th June 1915 and died on 1st November 1918 at the Military Hospital at Newark and is buried at Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.
His brother Sapper Henry Keetley enlisted at Nottingham whilst residing at Newark, he served with the 87th Field Coy, Royal Engineers, he landed in Frank on 2nd June 1915 and was killed in action on 9th August 1918, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Article published on 20th November 1918 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of Thomas & Ann Keetley, 8 Spittal Row, Northgate, Newark. Prior to enlisting he was an apprentice moulding at Messrs. Bradleys. He joined up on the 22nd Oct. 1914 and had seen much active service. Went to France on June 19th, 1915 in the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters and after being two years and two months in France was wounded in the arm. After six months in England he was transferred to the 10th Sherwoods and proceeding to France again was gassed in April 1918. He arrived home for fourteen days convalescent leave when he was taken ill with pneumonia and died a few days afterwards. His brother, Pte. Sam Keetley is in France and another, Pte. Harry Keetley has been missing since Aug. 1916
