No.41411, Lance Corporal, Robert John KEELEY
Aged 37
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Born in Brentwood in 1879 Robert John ALCOCK, (2nd qtr Billericay 4a:256) son of William and Rebecca ALCOCK [KEELEY] (née ALLEN)
1881 census...Aged 2, he was in Great Dunham, Essex with his father William ALCOCK [34] blacksmith born Saham, Norfolk; his mother Rebecca [34] born Rockland, Norfolk; brothers Frederick [6] and Charles [3]. The children all born in Brentwood. No explanation yet found for the change of surname from KEELEY to ALCOCK for this period in time. 1891 census...Aged 12, he was at Castleacre Road, Great Dunham with his parents and brother Frederick. The family name has now reverted to KEELEY 1901 census...Aged 21, a grocer's assistant, he was boarding at High Street, Little Walsingham with grocer Alfred CORSON and family. His parents were at Loxham Road, Great Dunham In 1906, in Erpingham, Norfolk, he married Rose May NORMAN [14-8-1878] 1911 census...Aged 31, a confectioner, he was at 27 St John's Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his wife Rose May [33] born Thetford and their daughter May Eliza [18-5-1909] born Cromer. They had lost one child in Cromer (Rose born 1908), but had another daughter, Eva Rose, [24-9-1911] in Bury St. Edmunds His widow was later at 3 St Andrews North, Bury St.Edmunds |
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He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds. The 13th Service Battalion, the Essex Regiment were known as the West Ham Pals, nicknamed " The Hammers". On the 28th April 1917 they attacked the village of Oppy and were decimated by well prepared German defenders. Of the 126 men killed, only 5 have an identified grave, the rest are named on the Arras Memorial at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
