Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1009. Pte. E. Keyes, 99th Foot.) toned, edge bruising and polished, otherwise nearly very fine £600-£800

Edward Keyes was born in Newtownsands, Kerry, Ireland; a 22 year old Labourer, he attested for the 85th Brigade at Tralee on 1 February 1878, and joined the 99th Regiment of Foot the following day. Keyes served overseas in South Africa, 2 December 1878 to 29 December 1879; Bermuda, 30 December 1879 to 7 March 1881; South Africa, 8 March 1881 to 30 December 1881; and India 31 December 1881 to 19 March 1884. Discharged to the Army Reserve on 27 March 1884, Tralee District, and from 3 May 1884, Devizes District. Keyes re-joined the Colours joining his old Regiment, now styled the Wiltshire Regiment (Private No 1235), serving at home only. He was discharged on 1 February 1890, after completing 12 years and 12 days service.

Edward Keyes was possibly mentioned in Colonel C. K. Person's despatch on the defence of Fort Ekowe, 24th January to 4th April, 1879: "Connected with the vedette [mounted sentry] duties, I wish to mention a circumstance which I think reflects great credit upon Captain Sherrington, Native Contingent, and the undermentioned men, viz - Corporal Adams, Native Contingent, Privates Whale, Robson, Higley and Keys, 99th Regiment, and Trooper Garlands, Victoria Mounted Rifles. The vedettes, shortly after our arrival at (Fort) Ekowe, were daily annoyed when they patrolled in the morning, before finally taking up their posts, by the fire from a party of Zulus from a high hill. It was believed that this party took up their position very early in the morning, and Captain Sherrington and the above party volunteered to go out at night and lie in wait for them behind some rocks near the top of the hill, being utterly ignorant, however, of the number of the Zulus. I consented and this little expedition resulted in three Zulus being wounded (though not so seriously as to prevent them from making good their escape) and the vedettes never being annoyed from this hill again. In fact no Zulu was ever afterwards seen there...
I have, &c.
C. K. Pearson, Colonel,
Commanding No. 1 Column.”

There are two soldiers on the 99th Regiment South Africa 1879 medal roll named ‘Keyes’ (none spelt ‘Keys’), viz 1009 Private Edward Keyes and 2106 Private Thomas Keyes, one of whom was with Captain Sherrington's party. Neither service record, however, makes mention of either being mentioned in despatches. "C", "E" and "H" companies of the 99th Regiment formed part of the Fort Ekowe garrison.

Sold with copied gazette notice and medal roll extract