Soldier Record
John Keane
Contributed by: Margaret Dostal (nee Keane), on 2008-12-13
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | John |
| Surname | Keane |
| Year of Birth | 1894 |
| Year of Death | 1957 |
| Regiment | Grenadier Guards |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Walworth, Other |
John's Story
Dad was determined to join a Guards Regiment from the age of 14. Being as tall lad he managed to convince the enlistment officer in Cardiff that he was 18, but his brother saw him on duty at Cardiff Barracks and his father was able to get him released. He tried again with the Irish Guard, but they knew where to look this time and once again he was released... finally when he enlisted with the Grenadiers, they let him stay in.
Determined to be a soldier
He fought in France and was captured during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. An NCO in charge of a party laying mines, he was interrogated and suffered abuse at the hands of his interrogators. Partially disabled from that time he returned in 1919 and wed my Mother. He died in June 1957.
No additional memories have been submitted