Chaplain B. N. Keymer of the 1/4th Yorks Regt Options

[NRB62]

Seeking assistance in confirming if Rev. Basil Nathaniel Keymer, a TF Chaplain since 1903 and assigned to 1/4th Bn Yorks Regt in France as of Nov 1915 (as per the unit war diary), was still with that Battalion as late as July 1917. He remained an Army Chaplain into 1920.

Thanks for any assistance rendered.

Niall

[RFT]

Hello Niall

I don't believe I can help very much with your research into Rev B N Keymer, but I have undertaken research into his son Capt Basil Graham Homfray Keymer, DFC and Bar.

As for Rev Keymer - The only information I have was taken from the medal rolls index and 1901 Census which, no doubt, you will already have in your possession.

I would be very interested to know more on B N Keymer if you are able to oblige.

Rob

[NRB62]

Thank you Rob. I'm familiar with B.G.H. Keymer's background, and do have the applicable MIC & census data for father & son, but unfortunately service records don't survive for either of them in WO 339 or WO 374. Hence, the only other data I have on Rev. Basil N. Keymer is from Crockford's (1939):
Pemb Coll Camb BA, 1893; Cudd Coll 1894; T.D. 1919; deacon 1895; priest 1896 Roc; C of St Jo Div Kennington, Surrey, 1895-98; Birkenshaw 1898-99; Vicar of Flockton with Denby Grange, 1899-1911; Curate of St Martin, Scarborough, 1911-14; Chaplain with BEF, 1914-20; Chaplain & Welfare Worker, IWGC, 1920-28; C.F. (TA) from 1903; Rector of Gosbeck, 1928-35; Vicar of Ilkestall St Andr with Ilkestall St Laur Dio St E from 1935; (Patron, Bishop; Tithe Redemption 401l with 39 acres of Glebe value 14l; Eccles Comm 56l; Fees 3l; Gross Income 479l; Net 404l and House; Population 580); Vicarage, Ilkestall St Andrew's, Beccles.

Rev. (Chap) Bernard Wm. Keymer of the RAF was Basil's younger brother.

Cheers,
Niall

[RFT]

Hi Niall

Ref : Rev B N Keymer

Thankyou very much indeed for your response and the information provided.

Are you researching the whole family, or just B N Keymer, and do you have connections with them?

Best regards

Rob

[Audax]

1914 Army List has Rev B N Keymer as Chaplain to 5th Bn Alexandra Princess of Wales' Own (Yorkshire Regiment) 1.4.1914

London Gazette 1903

1st Volunteer Battalion, the King's Own (Yorkshire
Light Infantry), Lieutenant W. H. H.
Bennett resigns his Commission. Dated 7th
November, 1903.
The Reverend B. N. Keymer, B.A., to be Acting
Chaplain. Dated 7th November, 1903.
2nd Volunteer Battalion, the King's (Shropshire
Light Infantry), Second Lieutenant W. Baxter
to be Lieutenant. Dated 7th November, 1903.


London Gazette 15 Jan 1919

CHAPLAINS DEPARTMENT.
The Rev. B. N. Keymer, M.A., 3rd Class
Chaplain to the T.F., to be 2nd Class Chaplain
to the T.F. 7th Nov. 1918.

[Trebrys]

There is a photo of a Padre Keymer of No. 40 Squadron in Chaz Bowyer's "Airmen of World War 1" with a little bit about him. I believe this is the brother of the one you are looking for.

He sits outside his Church of St. Michael at Bruay aerodrome in spring 1918. It seems he served at RAF Cranwell after the war where his suggestion of using the motto "Superna Petimus" (We Seek The Highest) was officially adopted. He died in 1924 of pleurisy leaving seven children, two of whom entered the RAF in World War Two and were killed on operations.

Off on a tangent but I hope of interest.

Trebrys.

[kevin]

Niall
Check out this Web Site, 1/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, and maybe contact the owner who is a member here, he may well be able to help you out, other than that itis a cracking site.

Regards Kevin

[norbs]

Niall
Check out this Web Site, 1/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, and maybe contact the owner who is a member here, he may well be able to help you out, other than that itis a cracking site.

Regards Kevin

hi, new member here but out of the blue came across this thread and this forum. If this subject is still of interest i may be able to help, since i believe B.N.Keymer was my great grandfather. His son, Col Philip keymer was my grandfather and also served for a while with the york and lancasters (both before and after amalgamation) and shared the middle name nathaniel.

Let me know if i can help.

[RFT]

Hello norbs and Welcome to the Forum.

Any information you may have on Capt. B G H Keymer, RAF, would be very much appreciated.

Rob

[norbs]

Hello norbs and Welcome to the Forum.

Any information you may have on Capt. B G H Keymer, RAF, would be very much appreciated.

Rob

was he second world war? If so, i believe that would be my grandfathers brother (known as uncle bun) who i believe was a spitfire pilot. His brother michael was also a spitfire pilot and fought his last battle over a small northern france town called bazinghen where they still honour him annually. We erected a small memorial to him with my grandfather about 10 years ago.

I don't know much about them myslef, though my grandmother who is still alive (grandad died april last year at 93) knows quite a bit about them and i could ask her.



tbh, i am not completely up to speed on them all but have little bits of info which i find very interesting

[RFT]

Hello norbs

Capt. Basil G H Keymer was KIA, 24 October 1919, while serving with the RAF in South Russia.
Capt. Keymer was the eldest son of B N Keymer.

Rob

[norbs]

Hello norbs

Capt. Basil G H Keymer was KIA, 24 October 1919, while serving with the RAF in South Russia.
Capt. Keymer was the eldest son of B N Keymer.

Rob

tbh then, that would probably be just too old to be my grandfathers brother.
I think there was 6 of them and my grandfather was born in 1915 so i doubt there would have been that much spread between them though i may be wrong.

I shall ask my gran though when i next see her and let you know

[RFT]

Thanks for your reply.

Capt. B G H Keymer was 20 when he died in 1919, so was probably born 1899. Rev. B N Keymer was living in Scarborough at the time of his son's death.

I am also aware of another brother, Ronald William, born 1900.

Rob

[mat Heywod]

Hello Norbs,

I think your grandfather may have been in a unit I am currently researching: the 51st Middle East commando. (WW II though, so perhaps not for these posts). Do you know if he served at all in North Africa, or the middle east?

I'm tracking down as much info as I can on these men, and have met two surviving members here in Israel, where I am currently staying.

Theirs is a fascinating story. It would be great to get in touch if this was the case.

Mat

hi, new member here but out of the blue came across this thread and this forum. If this subject is still of interest i may be able to help, since i believe B.N.Keymer was my great grandfather. His son, Col Philip keymer was my grandfather and also served for a while with the york and lancasters (both before and after amalgamation) and shared the middle name nathaniel.

Let me know if i can help.