Description
King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, 3381 Corporal P. Keenan, 2nd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, Taken as a Prisoner of War at Nooitgedacht on 13th December 1900.
Officially impressed: “3381 Corpl: P. Keenan. North’d Fus”
Confirmed on the medal roll, additionally entitled to the QSA with 3 clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal.
Peter Keenan was born in St Johns, Walker, Northumberland.
Attested aged 21 from the 1st Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry Militia on 5th May 1892.
He saw the following postings:
Home, 5th May 1892 – 1st March 1893
India, 2nd March 1893 – 4th March 1895
Singapore, 5th March 1895 – 6th Jan 1897
Home, 7th Jan 1897 – 3rd November 1899
South Africa, 4th Nov 1899 – 15th September 1902
Home, 16th September 1902 – 4th May 1904.
During the Boer War on 13th December 1900, whilst serving with 2nd Batt North’d Fusiliers, he was taken as a Prisoner of War by the Boers.
Fortunately he was released 2 days later.
On this day, the Assistant Commandant Generals J.H. De La Rey and C.F. Beyers launched an attack on the British Army camp under command of Major General R.A.P. Clements.
At the Battle of Nooitgedacht, fought on the 13th December 1900, the British Camp of 1500 men ended up with 50% becoming casualties.
General Smuts later wrote “I do not think it was possible to have selected a more fatal spot for the camp.”
The 1500 strong British Force, including Pte Keenan of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was under command of Major General R.A.P. Clements, being attacked by a superior Boer Commando numbering 2100 men, led by Generals Koos de la Rey and Christiaan Beyers.
Clements force consisted of the 2nd North’d Fus (With Keenan), 2nd Worcesters, 1st Border Regt, 2nd York LI and 900 mounted Troops under Colonel Ridley, along with the 8th Battery RFA.
4 Companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who were holding the ridges overlooking the camp, were surrounded and captured by the enemy.
The British were severely beaten, and Maj Gen Clements was rather lucky to not have his whole force wiped out.
He managed to lose half of his brigade, thanks to his terrible choice for the camp.
Total British Losses out of 1500 men came to about 88 killed, 171 wounded and 372 missing or taken as prisoners.
Luckily the Boers had little interest in holding a large number of British Soldiers so they were luckily released 2 days later.
