Canada, CEF. A First War Group to Pte. H.D. Keeley, 143rd Battalion & 2nd C.M.A., KIA 1918

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 826953  PTE. H. D. KEELEY. 2-C.M.R., original ribbon, minor wear, better than very fine condition. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 826953  PTE. H. D. KEELEY. 2-C.M.R., original ribbon, scratches and gilt loss to edges and obverse, near very fine.

A Memorial Cross, in silver, full size, reverse impressed 826953 Pte. H. D. KEELEY, marked STERLING on reverse 6 o’clock arm, missing ribbon, notable loss of finish, very fine. 

A B.C. Bantams 143 Canadians Cap Badge, bronze, measures 36.19 mm (w) x 40.71 mm (h), reverse bears two lugs, slight loss of finish, a rare badge, in extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: Herbert Donuell Keeley was born in Ipswich, England in 1887 to Hannah and Horace Keeley. Prior to enlisting in the war, he was residing at the Palace Hotel in Vancouver B.C, and working as a rancher. Standing at 5’ 2’’ he enlisted with the 143rd Battalion. The 143rd Battalion was a CEF unit specifically composed of men who did not meet the height requirement for military service (therefore under 5’4’’). However, the battalion was challenged to find enough recruits, and absorbed into the 24th Reserve Battalion in 1917, to reinforce other Canadian units serving on the front lines. 

Keeley arrived in England via the SS Southland in February 1917. The Battalion was struck off strength in March, and Keeley began serving with the 24th Reserves in May. In September 1918, he forfeited two days pay for insubordination and for being ‘in possession of wine.’ Keeley was killed in action on October 6 1918. The circumstances of his death reads: “While advancing over an open stretch of ground, just North of Cambrai, at about 8.30 o’clock on the morning of September 29th 1918, he was hit in the body and instantly killed by a bullet from an enemy machine gun.” He is buried in the Mill Switch British Cemetery. 

On 29 September 1918, the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd CMR), part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division, was engaged in the final stages of the Canal du Nord operations during the Hundred Days Offensive. The battalion had crossed the dry canal bed the previous day, following the successful assault begun on 27 September, and was advancing northeast toward Bourlon Wood and the village of Sancourt near Cambrai.