Canada, CEF. A First War Pair, 29th Infantry Battalion, 54th Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (442701 PTE E KEELING 29TH BN.); and Victory Medal (442701 PTE E KEELING 29TH BN.). Naming has been shaved and re-engraved in large capitals. Un-mounted, edge nicks, light contact, replacement ribbons, very fine.

Footnote: Edwin Keeling was born on August 23, 1893 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (442701) with the 54th Infantry Battalion "Kootenay Battalion", on May 22, 1915 at Vernon Camp, British Columbia, at that age of 21, naming his next-of-kin as Edwin Keeling at the White Line Hotel in Stockport, England, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, that his religion was Roman Catholic and that his trade was that of Labourer. It is also acknowledged in his pay records that his next-of-kin was his sister, Miss Louise Keeling at the same address in Stockport. The Battalion was raised in Southern British Columbia under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915, with the mobilization headquarters at Nelson, British Columbia. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on November 22, 1915 aboard the S.S. Saxonia, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W.M. Davis with a strength of 36 officers and 1,111 other ranks, arriving in Plymouth, England on December 2nd. Upon arrival in England, he was transferred to the 30th Reserve Battalion and was with this battalion when he received his orders to proceed overseas to the French theatre, to join the 29th Infantry Battalion "Tobin's Tigers", arriving in France on January 20, 1916 and posted to the Canadian Base Depot on the 21st. He left for his new unit in the field on February 2nd, arriving with them on the 4th. Private Keeling suffered a shrapnel wound to his left hand on September 26, 1916 but remained at duty.

A month after suffering the wound to his hand, he acquired a case of "Trench Foot" and was admitted to No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance on October 23, 1916. He was transferred to No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station on October 25th, which was followed a week later by his admission to No. 4 General Hospital Dannes at Camiers on November 2nd. A little over a week later, his condition necessitated his invaliding to England, where he was admitted to 1st London General Hospital at Camberwell on November 11th. After two weeks treatment at Camberwell, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom on November 24th, where he wold recuperate for the next two weeks, before being discharged from hospitalization on December 8th. He was then placed on command at the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot on December 11th. Three months later, he was transferred to the the British Columbia Regimental Depot on March 10, 1917 and returned to the 29th Infantry Battalion on April 21st. Private Keeling was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on May 22, 1917. The following year, he was admitted to No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a case of "Diarrhea" on May 4, 1918 and returned to duty on the 9th. Private Keeling would require hospitalization again, as he was admitted to No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance on July 30, 1918 with "Synovitis" in his right knee (a condition where the synovial membrane, which lines and lubricates the knee joint, becomes inflamed). Four days later, he was transferred to No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on August 3rd, where he would be treated for the next two weeks, before being transferred to No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on August 18th, then discharged to No. 5 Rest Camp at Boulogne on the 21st. Upon the ceasing of hostilities and still with the 29th Infantry Battalion, he proceeded to England on April 11, 1919, which was followed by his posting to the British Columbia Regimental Depot on May 9th, taken on strength of the 1st Reserve Battalion on May 15th, followed by a final posting to "M" Wing at the Canadian Corps Camp. Private Edwin Keeling, 29th Infantry Battalion was discharged from service at No. 2 Canadian Discharge Depot in London, England, on June 16, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.