Private K Kay Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers and Royal Corps of Transport
The Man Keith Kay was born on Monday 8th February 1932 in Merseyside, Liverpool, son of Richard Thomas a General Labourer and Sarah Gertrude nee Claydon. He was one of seven children, Richard Thomas jnr born in 1921, Frederick 1923, Elizabeth Mary 1925, Jessie 1927, Ellen 1930 and Alan 1934.
In 1939 Keith, who was still at school was living at 71 Garway, Liverpool with his family.
In 1954 aged about 22 he enlisted into the Territorial Army, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers as a Craftsman with service number 22416471 and during the 1950s the family moved to 76 Garway
Keith was awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in 1966 and during the next 12 years transferred into the Royal Corps of Transport as a Private and with the same service number.
In 1970, Keith was still living at 76 Garway with his mother Gertrude and brothers Frederick and Alan. He was awarded a second Efficiency Medal ‘T&AVR’ in 1978, followed by the first clasp in 1984 and a second in 1990 aged 58 when he would likely have retired.
Keith died during August 1995 aged just 63 in Liverpool and appears never to have married.
In 1939 Keith, who was still at school was living at 71 Garway, Liverpool with his family.
In 1954 aged about 22 he enlisted into the Territorial Army, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers as a Craftsman with service number 22416471 and during the 1950s the family moved to 76 Garway
Keith was awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in 1966 and during the next 12 years transferred into the Royal Corps of Transport as a Private and with the same service number.
In 1970, Keith was still living at 76 Garway with his mother Gertrude and brothers Frederick and Alan. He was awarded a second Efficiency Medal ‘T&AVR’ in 1978, followed by the first clasp in 1984 and a second in 1990 aged 58 when he would likely have retired.
Keith died during August 1995 aged just 63 in Liverpool and appears never to have married.
he Story The medal pair awarded to K Kay were acquired from e-Bay on a buy it now deal, in January 2022. They were of interest because of the double long service combination with the additional clasps on the latter medal, representing a total of 36 years’ service in the Territorial Army.
Research with the medals enabled a basic biography to be produced.
Forces War Records revealed only the Army Order confirming the award of the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in 1966. Thus, assuming Keith had enlisted 12 years before in in 1954 aged 18, he would have been born in about 1935. This would also then tie in with the award of his second Efficiency Medal 12 years after 1966 in 1978, first clasp six years later in 1984 and the second in 1990 when he was aged 58, likely retiring from the TA.
Research with the medals enabled a basic biography to be produced.
Forces War Records revealed only the Army Order confirming the award of the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in 1966. Thus, assuming Keith had enlisted 12 years before in in 1954 aged 18, he would have been born in about 1935. This would also then tie in with the award of his second Efficiency Medal 12 years after 1966 in 1978, first clasp six years later in 1984 and the second in 1990 when he was aged 58, likely retiring from the TA.
Medal Details:
- Efficiency Medal'Territorial': 22416471 CFN. K.KAY. REME
- Efficiency Medal 'T&AVR': 22416471 PTE. K.KAY. RCT.
Return to: The Collection
Go to Previous Page: Francis William JUMP
Go to next Page: Albert Edward KEATES
Go to Previous Page: Francis William JUMP
Go to next Page: Albert Edward KEATES
This page last updated 17 Apr 22
295