The Day War Broke Out
Private Albert Edward Keates 10th London Battalion London Rifles and Royal Signals
The Man Albert Edward Keates was born on 4th August 1896 in the St Lukes, Holborn area of London. Son of George Daniel, a Sub Gang Foreman Telegraph Linesman, and Rosaline Jane nee Beckham. He was one of 10 children, George John (1895-1957), Francis Thomas (1898-1899), Eliza Alice (1899 - ), Robert (died as baby), Rosaline Ada (1902 - 1972 ), Selina Francis (1904 - ), Thomas Geoffrey Daniel (1906 - ) Arthur Bernard (1908 – 1992) and Theresa D (1911 – 1918). By 1901 Albert and his family were living at 33 Stanhope Street, St Pancras and in 1911 at 32 Drummond Street, Euston, young Albert shown as still at School. Albert’s 18th Birthday fell on ‘The Day War Broke Out’, 4th August 1914. He appears to have already enlisted as a Private with the 10th (County of London Battalion), The London Regiment (Hackney) Territorial Force, as his number, 1323, comes from a block of those joining in May 1914. It was later changed to 420518 on renumbering during 1917. The London Regiment was first formed in 1908 in order to regiment the 26 Volunteer Force battalions in the newly formed County of London, each battalion having a distinctive uniform. The London Regiment was unusual, not only were all of its battalions of the Territorial Force (although the first four were affiliated to the other City of London regiment, the all-regular Royal Fusiliers) but each battalion was regarded as a corps in its own right. In August 1914 the 10th (County of London Battalion), The London Regiment (Hackney) Territorial Force was based at The Grove in Hackney, part of 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division. On mobilisation they relocated to Bullswater and in September to Crowborough. In April 1915 they moved to Norwich and transferred to the East Midland Brigade, East Anglian Division. On 7th May 1915 the formation was renamed 162nd Brigade in 54th (East Anglian) Division and moved to St Albans. In late July 1915 Albert sailed with 1/10th Battalion from Plymouth to Gallipoli, via Mudros and landed at Suvla Bay on 10th August. This was an amphibious landing made on the Aegean coast of the Gallipoli peninsula in the Ottoman Empire as part of the August Offensive, the final British attempt to break the deadlock of the Battle of Gallipoli. The landing, which commenced on the night of 6 August 1915, was intended to support a breakout from the ANZAC sector, five miles to the south. Following the fierce, chaotic and abortive campaign, Albert and 1/10th were evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt.
In 1917 the division were involved in the Battle of Gaza Ali Muntar, Gaza Lydda Dar Tureif and in 1918 Majdal Yaba Kefar Thilth. At the end of the War, Albert was awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals for his service, he remained in the Territorial Army, and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal during the 1920s. On 6th December 1920 Albert followed in his Father’s footsteps and aged 24 joined the General Post Office without competition as a Skilled Worker Grade II at the Engineering section in London. A few weeks later during the first quarter of 1921 he married Ellen Louisa Bowdrey in Islington, they had one child, Albert S Keates who was born and sadly died the same year. They subsequently lived at 149 Nightingale Road in Edmonton. Albert remained on the active list of the Militia and transferred to the Royal Signals with service number 2308209 as a Signalman. He was embodied at the start of World War II aged 43, and most probably posted to France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was subsequently awarded the Efficiency Medal with ‘Militia’ Clasp and appears to have left the Army before 1942, possibly on age grounds, as he was awarded the 1939-45 Star and War Medal 1939-45 but not Defence Medal. After the war he returned to the Post Office where he worked for the rest of his life retiring in 1956 aged 60 as a Technician Class I and awarded the Imperial service Medal. Albert and Ellen continued living at 149 Nightingale Avenue for the rest of their lives. Albert passed away on 8th March 1971 aged 75, leaving £5722.00 and Ellen two months later on 16th May.
The Story The group of medals awarded to Albert Edward Keates were acquired from The London Medal Company on a visit to the city on Wednesday 10th July 2019. They were of interested because of the three long service medals, the scarcer ‘Militia’ clasp to the Efficiency Medal, and a small amount of documentation with the lot, and despite the fact the 1914-15 Star was sadly missing. There came a substantial amount of pre-researched biographical detail on Albert Keates with the group, enabling a fairly rapid trawl of ancestry.UK and the London Gazette for outstanding information. However doubt was quickly cast on the validity of the information provided for the following reasons:
Marriages were worked through next, and the most likely seemed to be Ellen Louisa Bowdray who Albert married in 1921. The 1939 census revealed that she was living at 149 Nightingale Road, Edmonton – the same address as on Albert’s World War II medal box and Post Office correspondence contained within the lot, so this was correct. Albert’s death recorded his date of birth as 4th August 1896 and corresponding will entry confirmed his address at death as 149 Nightingale Avenue, proving that this was indeed the correct man, by cross referencing date of death and address to date of birth and to his wife’s details in the 1939 census. Interestingly Albert did not appear on the census as he would have already been called up as a serving Militia man.
Thus, after 48 years Albert’s correct details were revealed and able to be recorded for posterity, and proves the importance of retaining documentation with medals, no matter how little it may be!
- His birth was given as 1891 which would mean he would have been 48 at the outbreak of WWII, this was feasible but unlikely and possibly why no Defence Medal awarded due to age and length of service.
- The 1939 census showed him as being a Giant Tyre Maker, whereas he had joined the Post Office in 1920, and worked for them all his life subsequently retiring in 1956, LG confirmed.
- He would have been 65 at retirement, again possible but unlikely with the GPO.
- Joined the Post Office circa 1921 and retired 1956 both in London.
- Lived at 149 Nightingale Avenue, Edmonton after WWII as medal award box and Post Office letters addressed here.
- Albert Edward Keates (1) detailed above
- Albert Edward Keates (2) born in Walworth 1902, but too young for WWI (12-16) even had he lied about his age he would have been too young to qualify for the 1914-15 Star. But would have been 37 at the outbreak of WWII and 54 at retirement
- Albert Edward Keates (3) born in St Pancras on 4 Aug 1896. Making his 18th birthday the day war broke out. He could have been an early volunteer, or pre-war Territorial, joining at 17 thus earning the 1914-15 Star. He would be 43 at the start of WWII, possibly explaining why no Defence Medal as he would have been 49 by 1945. He would also have been aged 60 at retirement.
- Albert Edward Keates (4) born in in Corfe Castle, Dorset in1863.
Marriages were worked through next, and the most likely seemed to be Ellen Louisa Bowdray who Albert married in 1921. The 1939 census revealed that she was living at 149 Nightingale Road, Edmonton – the same address as on Albert’s World War II medal box and Post Office correspondence contained within the lot, so this was correct. Albert’s death recorded his date of birth as 4th August 1896 and corresponding will entry confirmed his address at death as 149 Nightingale Avenue, proving that this was indeed the correct man, by cross referencing date of death and address to date of birth and to his wife’s details in the 1939 census. Interestingly Albert did not appear on the census as he would have already been called up as a serving Militia man.
Thus, after 48 years Albert’s correct details were revealed and able to be recorded for posterity, and proves the importance of retaining documentation with medals, no matter how little it may be!
Medal Award Certificate showing 2 World War II Medals.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: Unnamed replacement.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 1323 PTE. A.E.KEATES 10-LOND.R
- Victory Medal:1323 PTE. A.E.KEATES. 10-LOND.R
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: ALBERT EDWARD KEATES
- Territorial Efficiency Medal:420518 PTE. A.E.KEATES. 10-LOND.R.
- Efficiency Medal 'Militia': 2308209 SGLN. A.E.KEATES. R.SIGNALS.
This page last updated 8 Nov 20