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Hi Ian

Hugh Keys death file is available through the SA National Archives. You can see the reference if you search through NAAIRS, dated 1916.

The reference to Chamber of Mines is common to men who were recruited for WW1 whilst working for the gold mines in SA.

Regards

Adrian

Hello Ian,
I thought you indeed covered it pretty well too, it was merely that single detail that you clarified, so, as predicted, a really superb group, but, a very sad end to a brave man, in real terms, you can say with a large degree of actual fact, that it was all over for the survivors amongst Thackeray's men by Wednesday 19th of July 1916.
One wonders if Keys was one of them or if he had already lost his life, it is of course, little more than academic, but, very sad indeed, just one tiny battle when viewed overall, yet, for South Africa, a real baptism of fire, tragic!
Regards Frank

LinneyI wrote: Henk
I was sent the MIC for the 15/15 Star and that for the BWM/VM (the latter card has an official looking stamp CHAMBER OF MINES in one line over MISSING 1.8.16). I really don't know what the Chamber of Mines has to do with it. Ideas? The other docs I was sent include a Record Cover with attestation forms and casualty forms and Statement of Services.
Frank.
I thought I covered it pretty well but .... mea culpa.
IL.

Hi new member. If it's the same H. Keys, he was from Londonderry in N. Ireland. My great great grandfather was his step father. He came to Derry sometime late in 1915. I have a picture of him and another SA infantry man taken with his step dad. I have been trying to trace him for our family tree.

Hello Mcaleera
Welcome to the Forum. Are you sure it is the same "H.Keys"? Hugh Keys enlisted in 3rd South African Infantry in August 1915; with prior service in Rand Rifles. If the connection between Hugh Keys and H.Keys can be substantiated, it would be great to put a face to the medals.
Regards
IL.

There is a newspaper clipping which talks about him meeting his brother in SA during the Boer War, I will publish it in full when I get it. We have little info on him, a cousin of mine also investigating the family thinks he went to the US after the war. The picture I have shows him in Nov 1915 in uniform, his cap badge is a Gazelle. I tried to trace hi through the CWGC to see if he was buried in France but found nothing, I thought then he had survived. I never checked SA records. Two other members of the family fought in the Boer war and one remained in SA after the war in Joburg. Is there anyway of publishing a picture on here?

Hello again
Yes, pics can be uploaded from your digicam. I don't know what system you use, so ....... However, once you have done a post, go to "Attachments" and "add file" and then go from there.
Regards
IL.