Lieutenant Eustace Gabriel Lawrence Keatinge
3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Attached to
'A' Company
2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry
13th April 1918
Born on 28/07/1891 in Reigate Surrey. His parents were Gabriel Keating(the 'e' on the end of the surname appears to have been added later)(1856-1911) and Elizabeth Gibson(born in 1860). They were married on 02/10/1889.
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living 13 St Aidans Road, South Shields. Gabriel was recorded as being an astronomer.
This same year, Eustace had joined South Shields High School(13/01/1901), where he was to study until the family moved to Shrewsbury in July 1906.*
The1911 census shows that Eustace is still living in Shrewsbury at Brookfield, Kingsland, though only with his mother as his father had passed away earlier that year.
Later that year he entered Keble College - Oxford University, during the Michaelmas term(November 2 -25) and became an active member of the College, with his sporting achievements being a member of 1st VIII(rowing) in Eight Weeks. 1912-1914, Hirst Sculls 1912, Athletics team President 1913-1914 and University Athletics team(High Jump) 1914.
He was also the Assistant Editor, The Clock Tower 1912- 1914, whilst also being a member of the University Contingent of the Officers' Training Corps.
He completed his B.A. in History in 1914.*
At the outbreak of war, Eustace applied for a commission and on 02/10/1914 he was gazetted to 2nd Lieutenant in 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers on probation, with it being confirmed on 28/04/1915. He was sent to France on 17/03/1915.
Newcastle Journal – Monday 03 May 1915
“Second-Lieut. Eustace J.L. Keatinge, 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was wounded during recent flighting in Flanders, Lieut. Keatinge who resides at Ashburn, Harton Road South Shields, is an Oxford Blue, and he won the high jump at the University last year.
He took his B.A. degree on Aug.8 and applied for his commission on the same day. He went to the front on March 15, and since then he has been almost constantly in the trenches and has seen some severe fighting. On April 24 he was struck in the right arm with a bullet, which, fortunately, missed the bone, and inflicted a flesh wound. He is at present in a base hospital. Lieut. Keatinge was stationed at South Shields for some time before going to the front.”
I have not been able to discover anything about Eustace's military career after 1915 until he was attached to
2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 11/04/1918.
"On 11 April no less than ten officers of the Northumberland Fusiliers reported for duty with the battalion;
Lieutenant Eustace Keating, Sidney Brewin MC and H.A. Gratton were posted to A Company".*
* "The Steel of the DLI" by John Sheen page 246.
Sadly Eustace was killed in action 2 days later when A company that had been holding the Reutel(beek) subsector( this places Eustace around South East of Polygon Wood) were relieved by 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and were preparing to become the battalion support company.*
* "The Steel of the DLI by John Sheen page 246.
Eustace was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, The 1914 -1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
When his will was read on 30/101/1918 he left effects of £19 0s 5d (worth today £1350.57) to his mother.
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