TOPIC:

The miniature group attributed to R G Kekewich.



Robert George Kekewich was born on the 17 Jun 1854, the second son of Trehawke Kekewich of Peamore in Devon. Educated at Marlborough, he entered the army through the militia in 1874. His first campaign service was with the Perak expedition of 1875-6 where he was awarded the medal and clasp. His second war service was with the Soudan expedition of 1888 as DAAG and QMG of British troops. Took part in the action at Gemaizah and was MID, LG 11 Jan 1889. Awarded the medal and two clasps and the 4th class of the Medjidie. During the South African War he served in command of the 1st Batt the Loyal North Lancs Regt to Dec 00 and as commander Griqualand West and Bechuanaland. In command of a mobile column from Dec 00 to Jan 01 and from Jul 01 to Jan 02 and afterwards in command of a group of mobile columns from Feb 02 to the end of hostilities.



He was severely wounded at Moedwil on the 30 Sep 1900. He was MID thrice LG 8 May 00, 3 Dec 01 and 29 Jul 02. Granted Brevet of Colonel, promoted Major General for distinguished service. Queen’s medal with 3 claps, King’s medal with 2, CB.

The ‘Times’ of 6 November 1914 recorded, ‘Major General R G Kekewich was found dead yesterday morning at his residence at Whimple, near Exeter with a gunshot in the head. He was recently invalided from Salisbury Plain where he was in command of a division and after treatment in a hospital in Exeter, he seemed to have officers at the front. His title to fame was his successful defence of Kimberley during the South African War.

The ‘Times’ of 7 November 1914: The late General Kekewich. The Major, Coucillors and Citizens of Kimberley South Africa yesterday passed a resolution recalling ‘with deepest gratitude their immense obligations to Major General Kekewich and sincerely deplored his death’.

At the inquest in Whimple Devon yesterday it was stated he suffered from suppressed gout, insomnia and an unsatisfactory state of the heart. He worried over being unable to serve his country and great waves of depression overcame him. The verdict ‘suicide whilst temporarily insane’ was returned. The funeral will take place at Exminster on Monday.

Funerals, The ‘Times’ 10 November 1914 (page 11e): The Funeral of Major General Kekewich took place with military honours yesterday at St Martin’s Church Exminster, south Devon. Amongst those who sent wreaths were the citizens of Kimberley, and HM the King of Denmark. Messages of condolence were received from the Earl Kitchener, Sir Robert and Lady Baden-Powell and Sir Archibald Hunter.

I was reading a biography of the Baden-Powell's which suggested that Robert Kekewich was one of the few attendees at the marriage of Robert B-P.

In January 1912, Olave met Second Boer War hero and founder of the Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell, on an ocean liner (RMSP Arcadian) on the way via the Caribbean to New York to start a lecture tour. She was 23, he was 55, and they shared the same birthday. They became engaged in September of the same year, causing a media sensation. They married on 30 October 1912 in a very private ceremony, in St. Peter's Church, Parkstone, her Parish Church. She was given away by her father; apart from clergy, the only other people present were his brother and sister and Robert Kekewich, a close friend of his, her mother & brother, her brother-in-law and Miss Sie Bower, a close friend of hers.

The Kekewich ribbons look very new!

RobM

Rob,

The image may have been lightened. Here are some more pictures. They show how the original mounting was separated when Kekewich received the Dannebrog, his final award.