1914-15 STAR, B.W.M. & VICTORY MEDAL. Named 2326 Spr. G.D. Keeler. R.E.

[Danger]

Hey guys,

Here's my new WW1 medal group.
1914-15 STAR, B.W.M. & VICTORY MEDAL.
All named to: 2326 Spr. G.D. Keeler. R.E.
I've tried to find his medal index card but it wouldn't show the details.
Is there any other way to find out information on Keeler?
How much can I find out about this man?
He could be a Kiwi or British? Royal Engineer...

Thanks

Danger

[Adrian Stevenson]

He would have been British.

Here are his records.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jerry B]

A good group Danger, and interesting to see they kept him for the Z reserve in case the Huns restarted the war.

[Danger]

Thanks Ade.
It feels good to know somthing of the man and not just
his medals.
George Keeler.
Wonder how old he was and which part of Britain he came from?
Is it hard to find more army records?

I know a lot got destroyed by bombs in WW2 and what's left
are called the burnt records.
Chances are his records are long gone right?

Z reserve, how long did they keep them together?
Was it common to be kept or asked to be in the Z reserve?

Cheers guys

[paul kennedy]

Here's his BWM and VM roll

[Jerry B]

Class Z Reserve was authorised by an Army Order of 3 December 1918. There were fears that Germany would not accept the terms of any peace treaty, and therefore the British Government decided it would be wise to be able to quickly recall trained men in the eventuality of the resumption of hostilities. Soldiers who were being demobilised, particularly those who had agreed to serve "for the duration", were at first posted to Class Z. They returned to civilian life but with an obligation to return if called upon. The Z Reserve was abolished on 31 March 1920.

[harryamb2]

nice group.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I could not locate his service record, so the odds are it was lost in WW2 care of Hermann Goring.

These records which Paul and I have added are from Ancestry which requires a subscription to view them.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

As to further research.

I looked up the 1911 census. I could only find one possible candidate with correct Christian name and middle initial and possible date of birth:

NAME: George Daniel Keeler
BIRTH: abt 1887 - London, United Kingdom
RESIDENCE: 2 Apr 1911 - Paddington, London, England

The odds are this MIGHT be your man. But I cannot say 100%.

Cheers, Ade.

[ynot]

I think Class Z reserve was usually for men uninjured and able to fight again if necessary. The former POW index cards I’ve seen (no more than 4 or 5) were all marked – Class Z reserve.

All went back to normal in 1920 with Class Z reserve being abolished. Ah, Jerry's beaten me to it

And Ade beat me with the census.

I’ve found a George Daniel Keeler by searching the 1911 census, born 1895 + / – 10 years however, with no other records to confirm his middle name, the following is only a guess. By the way, there was another but he was too young to go to war in 1915.

George Daniel Keeler
Age in 1911: 24
Estimated Birth Year: 1887
Relation to Head: Son
Birth Place: London, United Kingdom
Civil Parish: Paddington
County/Island: London
Country: England
Street address: 11 Woodfield Gardens, Harrow Rd W
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Milk Carrier
Registration district: Paddington

Tony