TOPIC:

Hello,

Motivated by a family connection I've been looking into the life and times of 4433 Private John O'Keefe, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Thanks to this excellent forum I've been informed he was in B Division SAC. I have found the archive reference for his SAC service record and written to the SA archive requesting a paper or e copy:

DEPOT TAB
SOURCE SAC
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 170
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE B251
PART 1
DESCRIPTION RECORD OF CONDUCT AND SERVICE. JOHN O'KEEFFE.
STARTING 1901
ENDING 1902

I believe he rejoined the Colours in 1914 with Regt No. 11333, medal cards record his surname being spelt O'Keefe and O'Keeffe.

I'd be thankful for any tips of where else I can look.

Many thanks

James

James,

I searched for Great War service papers for him on FMP but found none unfortunately.

James,
I made mention of his SAC service in your other thread because of the lack of British Army papers in the available folio, although, I have not actually looked at him properly, if his papers were ever in WO363, the chances are that they have been destroyed, but, the manual search needed would not be possible.
Regards Frank

Saltjm wrote: Hello,

Motivated by a family connection I've been looking into the life and times of 4433 Private John O'Keefe, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Thanks to this excellent forum I've been informed he was in B Division SAC. I have found the archive reference for his SAC service record and written to the SA archive requesting a paper or e copy:

DEPOT TAB
SOURCE SAC
TYPE LEER
VOLUME_NO 170
SYSTEM 01
REFERENCE B251
PART 1
DESCRIPTION RECORD OF CONDUCT AND SERVICE. JOHN O'KEEFFE.
STARTING 1901
ENDING 1902

I believe he rejoined the Colours in 1914 with Regt No. 11333, medal cards record his surname being spelt O'Keefe and O'Keeffe.

I'd be thankful for any tips of where else I can look.

Many thanks

James

It's been some time since I posted on here. Subsequent to the above messages I have applied to the Army Personnel Centre for Sgt O'Keefe/Keeffe's service record. I received quite a lot of information back regarding the man who's medal record card is below. The name, place and date of birth and trade all match the details of the O'Keefe/Keeffe who was in the SAC and RIrF. However there is no mention of Boer war service in his W11 service record although he he is promoted speedi ly in 1914 after enlisting / rejoining age 53 or so. The WW1 service record also has him being awarded an end of the war MSM.

I should also mention that the RIrF Regimental Museum were exceedingly helpful.

I think the only way I think I'll ever be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Boer War SAC/RIrF O'Keefe/Keeffe is one and the same as the WW1 RIrF O'Keefe/O'Keeffe is if his original medal entitlement are held together somewhere i.e.
QSA (with bars Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal),
1914 Star
BWM
Allied Victory Medal
MSM
They're not at the Regimental Museum, they may have been melted down long ago, who knows. In the meantime in order to create the talking point that will allow my m-in-law to tell the story of the grandfather she is so proud of I am collecting some period miniatures to be mounted amd displayed alongside a cap badge.
Any thoughts, comments, observations or advice on any of the above gratefully received.

James
I believe he rejoined the Colours in 1914 with Regt No. 11333, medal cards record his surname being spelt O'Keefe and O'Keeffe

Checking near contiguous numbers to 11333 R.I.F on the SWB roll would indicate a Regular Army enlistment date of August 1913. for O'Keefe. That suggests to me that 11333 is not your man.
Joseph Ward 11325 - 12/08/1913
Edward Tanham 11335 - 25/08/1913
Martin Mcveeney 11336 - 29/08/1913


Peter