Pte 29854 Harold Keating

• Age: 23
• From: Hollinwood, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 9th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Arneke British Cem
  Panel Ref: II.C.28

Harold Keating was born on the 13th December 1894 in Hollinwood, southwest of Oldham, the son of Thomas Keating and his wife Annie (née Smith). He was baptised 24th July 1895 at Christ Church, Chadderton, his father a skip maker (woven baskets) of Coalslaw Green Road. 

His parents married in 1893 in Oldham Register Office.

The 1901 Census shows Harold living with his mother at their grandparents house at 62 Turf Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, Lancashire. His father, Thomas Keating, is not present, perhaps working away, his mother, Annie Keating, is aged 28, born in 1872, and is employed as a card room hand in a cotton mill, with her son Harold aged 6, born 1894. The head of the household is Richard Smith, aged 52, born 1849 who is a carter for a gardener and was born in Failsworth. His wife, Mary, is aged 51, born in 1850 no occupation listed and was born in Chadderton as were their six children. Elizabeth aged 25, born 1876 no occupation, Milly aged 22, born 1879 is a calico weaver, Ernest aged 20 born 1881 works in a cotton mill as a blowing room hand, Mary aged 12 born 1889, Harry aged 11, born 1890.

Harold attended Drury Lane Council School, located near the junction of Turf Lane and Coalshaw Green.

A daughter, Mary, was born in the March quarter of 1903, but it looks like his parents separated after this.  .

The 1911 Census finds Harold, his mother and sister, are still living with his grandparents, Richard and Mary Smith, at 196 Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton, with aunts Elizabeth and Mary Emma, and uncle Harry, who all work in a cotton mill. His mother, is aged 38, and Harold, is aged 16, working in the cotton mill, his sister Mary is aged 8. His father, Thomas, is found in a lodging house at 14 River Street, Rochdale, he is aged 41, married, a skip maker, born in Bolton. 

According to a later newspaper report, Harold was employed at Rose Mill in Chadderton. Rose Mill Spinning Co. Ltd., Coalshaw Green, Hollinwood, was established in 1885, one of three mills in the town, and was destroyed by fire in 2007.

Harold enlisted in Hollinwood initially joining the 4th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.  Based on the amount of the War Gratuity, Harold enlisted in about July 1915, and landed in France on 15th December 1915. At some point he was transferred to the 17th Battalion of the K.L.R. as Private No 29854.

Harold died of wounds on the 09^th May 1918, aged 23, during the German Spring Offensive. 

He now rests at Arneke British Cemetery, France, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HE LAID HIS RICHEST GIFT ON THE ALTAR OF DUTY HIS LIFE FROM HIS MOTHER AND SISTER”

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918. Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

His death was reported in the Manchester Evening News on 24th May 1918:

“Pte. Harold Keating, King’s Liverpool Reg’t., 202 Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton, died May 9, employed at the Rose Mill.”

He earned his three medals.

Harold is commemorated in Emmanuel Church, Oldham. 

We currently have no further information on Harold Keating, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.