John Baker Keating

John was the son of Richard Alexander Keating and his wife Mary Ann nee Baker. Richard Alexander Keating was born in Derby, birth registered 1856 (J/F/M Derby), and Mary Ann was born in New South Wales. They were married in 1894 (J/F/M Nottingham) and at the time of the 1911 Census, when they had been married for 17 years, they had seven children: Dorothy b. Sneinton birth registered 1895 J/F/M Nottingham, Kathleen b. Sneinton birth registered 1896 J/F/M Nottingham (prob. b. 28 January), John Baker b. Radcliffe on Trent 1897 (A/M/J Bingham) Richard Stanley b. Radclifffe on Trent 25 January 1900 (J/F/M Bingham), Thomas Philip b. Radcliffe on Trent 1901 (J/A/S Bingham), Norman b. Nottingham 18 January 1905 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Margaret b. Nottingham 1908 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1901 Richard (45), a lace finisher (employer) and Mary (34) were living at 7 Chestnut Grove, Radcliffe on Trent, with their four children Dorothy (6), Kathleen (5), John (3) and Richard (1). They employed two female servants, a nurse (domestic) and a general domestic servant. By 1911 they were living at Comberton Lodge, Claremont Road, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham. Richard and Mary now had seven children but only six were in the home on the night of the census: Kathleen (15), John (13), Richard (11), Thomas (9), Norman (6) and Margaret (2). They employed two domestic servants, a general servant and a housemaid. The eldest child, Dorothy (16) was away at school at Channing House, 3 The Bank, Highgate, Hornsey, Middlesex. Richard Alexander died on 7 November 1915 aged 59; the family home was still at Comberton Lodge, Sherwood Rise. His wife Mary Ann died in an accident in Wiltshire on 30 April 1935 aged 68 (see 'extra information'). At the time of her death Mary Ann was living at 27 Ebers Road, Mapperley Park, Nottingham, although when John's medals were sent to her in March 1922 her address was given as 26 Baker Street, Nottingham. Of John's siblings: Dorothy has not yet been traced after the 1911 Census. Kathleen was probably living at The Grove House, Ludwell, Mere & Tisbury, Wiltshire, at the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register. Her occupation was given as principal of a nursing home. She probably married Reginald Charles Charlton in 1942 (J/F/M Mere Wiltshire) and was widowed before her own death in 1951. Probate: Charlton Kathleen of The-grove House Nursing Home Ludwell Donhead St Mary Wiltshire widow died 18 November 1951 Probate London 15 January to William Farley Rutter solicitor and Roland Hector John Lanham professional accountant. Effects £6348 8s. 3d. Richard Stanley joined the Merchant Navy; their are records of his Certificate of Competence as Second Mate (for foreign-going steamships only) issued September 1921 (Port: London) and as First Mate (for foreign-going steamships only) in December 1924 (Port: London Dock Street) However, his name appears on an incoming passenger list, SS Coronado (Shipping Line: Elders and Fyffes) out of Kingston Jamaica, arriving Bristol on 19 September 1927; his occupation was described as a 'merchant' with a company address on Low Pavement, Nottingham. Richard married Phyllis I Parr (b. 20 September 1903) in 1933 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register they were recorded living at 3 Torquay Avenue, Southampton; Richard was a shopkeeper (grocer and tobacco). There is a record of a Richard Stanley Keating on the UK Navy List, July 1945 - Royal Naval Reserve, Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Temporary Lieutenant Commander), seniority 28 March 1940. Thomas Philip died at Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malay States, on 3 April 1930. Probate: Keating Thomas Philip of 27 Ebers-road Nottingham died 3 April 1930 at Kuala Lumpur Federated Malay States Administration Nottingham 27 January [1931] to Mary Ann Keating widow. Effects £4410 15s. 9d. Norman married Eileen Crofts nee Frizelle (b. 16 August 1901) in 1937 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register, they were living at the Old Elm Tree Inn, Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire, where Norman was the licensed victualler. Also in the household was his wife Eileen, their son Thomas Keating b. 9 October 1938, and Eileen Crofts (b. 16 March 1926) who was probably his wife's daughter by her first marriage (Harry Crofts m. 1926 J/F/M Nottingham). Norman probably died on 24 March 1960 (1960 Jun York, b. abt 1905 age 55); his wife had pre-deceased him. Probate: Keating Norman of 113 Hadden Crescent Chilwell Nottinghamshire died 24 March 1960 at The County Hospital York Probatte Nottingham 9 May to Solomon Marks solicitors managing clerk. Effects £2667 4s. 9d. Margaret may have married Samuel Frederick Burton and may have died in 1989 aged 81 (Oct Newark, b. 7 October 1908).

He was a member of University College Nottingham OTC.

According to the Medal Roll, John served in France from 6 June 1916 and was killed less than two months later on 20 July during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Inscription, family headstone Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Richard Alexander the dearly beloved husband of Mary Ann Keating who died Novr. 7th 1915 aged 59 years. There is no death while memory lives. Also in proud and loving memory of their dear son, John Baker Keating, Sec. Lieut. 15th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action in the Battle of the Somme, July 20th 1916 aged 19 years. 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.' Also in loving memory of their dear son Thomas Philip Keating MB ChB who died in Kuantam FMS [Federal Malay States] April 3rd 1930 aged 28 years. Also of the above Mary Ann Keating who died April 30th 1935 aged 68 years.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 November 1915: ‘Keating. On the 7th inst., suddenly at Comberton Lodge, Sherwood-rise, Richard Alexander, the dearly loved husband of Mary Ann Keating, aged 59 years. Interment at the General Cemetery (top entrance), Wednesday, 1.30pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Also notice 8 November excluding details of interment. Probate: Keating Richard Alexander of Comberton Lodge Claremont-road Sherwood-rise and of Castle Boulevard Nottingham lace manufacturer died 7 November 1915 at Comberton Lodge Probate Nottingham 29 February [1916] to Mary Ann Keating widow. Effects £4227 19s. 10d. Nottingham Evening Post, Casualty list, 29 July 1916: ‘The Roll of Honour. Killed. Second-Lieut. JB Keating. Second-Lieut JB Keating who has been killed in action with the Sherwood Foresters at the age of 19, was the eldest son of the late Mr RA Keating and of Mrs Keating, of Cumberton Lodge, Sherwood-rise, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 29 July 1916: ‘Keating. Killed in action, July 18th (sic), Second-Lieut. John Baker Keating, aged 19 years, eldest son of the late Richard Alexander Keating and of Mrs Keating, Comberton Lodge, Sherwood-rise, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 1 May 1935: ‘Nottm. Widow Killed. Thrown from car in Wiltshire. Door opens when turning bend. Shocking experience for Beeston driver. Mrs Mary Ann Keating, an elderly widow, of 27, Ebers-road, Nottingham, received fatal injuries yesterday afternoon when she fell from a motor car near Chippenham, Wiltshire. The driver of the car, a practically new saloon, was Mr William Anderson, of Meadow-road, Beeston, and Mrs Keating was sitting beside him. As the car was negotiating a sharp lefrt-hand bend at Pattendown, between Chippenham and Lacock, the near side front door suddenly flew open and Mrs Keating was thrown out onto the road. She was picked up, with severe head injuries, and taken into a cottage nearby. Dr Hunter was summoned from Lacock, but Mrs Keating died very shortly after his arrival. The body was taken to Chippenham mortuary. An inquest will be held. It is understood that Mrs Keating left Nottingham yesterday morning and was expected back in a day or so.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’,1 and 2 May 1935: ’Keating. Suddenly at Chippenham, on April 20th, Mary A Keating, of 27 Ebers-road, Nottingham, widow of the late RA Keating. Funeral privately, Friday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)