Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Tom Carnall Keeling, an agricultural labourer, born 1849 in Syston, Leicestershire, and his wife Mary Keeling (nee Moore), born 1851 in Wolvey, Warwickshire. Herbert, a schoolboy, was born in 1883 in Syston, his siblings were, Elizabeth E., a griswold knitter, born 1874, John H., a gardener, born 1879, Tom, a schoolboy, born 1881, Sarah Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1886, Maud, born 1888 and Mildred, born 1878, all his siblings were born in Syston, in April 1891 the family home was at St. Peter’s Street, Syston, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Herbert was employed as an iron moulder and was residing in the family home at Upper Church Street, Syston, together with his parents and siblings, Mary Jane, a stocking mender, born 1876 in Syston, Sarah, an upholsterer, Maud, Mildred, Edith, born 1892 and Agnes, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Syston. In April 1911 Herbert was residing in the family home at Upper Church Street, Syston, together with his parents and siblings, Mary, Maud, a sewing machinist and tailor and Edith, a sewing machinist and tailor.
On Friday January 22nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – SYSTON. – MILITARY FUNERAL. – The unusual spectacle of a military funeral, as well as sympathy for the family of Mr. Tom Keeling of Church Lane, Syston, attracted an enormous concourse of parishioners and friends at the obsequies of Pte. Herbert Keeling, of the 9th Leicester Battalion, on Saturday afternoon. Deceased joined Lord Kitchener’s Army in October last, and after spending a few days furlough at Syston left to rejoin his regiment on January 6th. A severe cold he was suffering from developed so rapidly that he was obliged to go into hospital the next day. Pneumonia set in, and death followed on the 13th, the body being conveyed home on Friday morning in a handsome coffin of polished elm with brass furniture. By permission of the officer in command at the Magazine, Leicester, a firing party comprising 18 men of the A Company, 4th Reserve Regiment, in charge of Sergt. Connelly and Corporal Tomlinson, was in attendance. Corporal W. Byatt, of the Leicesters, acted as marshall, and Mr. T. Mansfield had charge of the undertaking arrangements. The coffin which was shrouded in a Union Jack, bore the inscription, “Herbert Keeling, died January 13th 1915, aged 31 years,” and was followed by the relatives; Mr. T. Keeling (father), Mr. T. Keeling, Mountsorrel (brother), Mr. F. Martin, Mrs. E. Riley, Miss A. Keeling, Miss E. Keeling, Miss Jennie Keeling (sisters), Mr. T. Martin, Thurmaston. Mr. Walter Wright, jun., and Mrs. Wright, (cousins). Next in the procession came the Syston Company Church Lads’ Brigade, Capt. Winterton and Sergt. Swann commanding, and the Syston Troop B. P. Scouts, under Scoutmaster H. Moore their bodies forming a grand guard of honour along the church path. Then followed the members of the Syston Home Defence Corps, Mr. G. E. Bamford being in charge. The church was crowded, and the sad cortege entered to the strains of Chopin’s “Marche Funebre” played on the organ by Mr. H. Freeman. The service was read by the Vicar, the Rev. T. R. J. Avery, and the lesson by the Rev. A. S. Higson (Wesleyan). The hymn “Peace perfect peace” and Psalm 37 were sung by feeling by the choir and congregation. The procession from the church to the cemetery was a very impressive one, and in addition to the funeral party, a large crowd assembled at the grave side. The Committal Prayers and Benediction having been said by the Vicar, volleys were fired over the grave by the military and “The Last Post” was sounded by the buglers. Amongst the floral tributes was a handsome globe and artificial wreath from the officers and men of deceased’s Company at Aldershot. Before the military contingent returned to barracks they were thoughtfully entertained to tea at the Syston cafe, by Miss Mason. A series of muffled peals were given as a token of esteem and regret, by the Syston ringers.
On Saturday January 23rd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – MILITARY FUNERAL AT SYSTON. Previous to Saturday last, when the late Private Herbert Keeling (aged 31), of the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Kitchener’s Army) was buried at Syston there had not been a military funeral in the village for nearly 30 years. The deceased, son of Mr. and Mrs Tom Keeling, enlisted in October last, and his early demise is deeply regretted by his many friends. After a few days furlough he returned to his regiment on Jan. 6th. He was then suffering from a severe cold, which rapidly developed into pneumonia, and he passed away at Aldershot on Wednesday last. The body was conveyed to his home on Friday, and the interment took place at Syston cemetery. The coffin which was of polished elm, with brass furniture, was covered with a Union Jack. The procession to the parish church, where the funeral service was held, was headed by 13 men of “A” Company 4th Reserve Leicestershire Regiment, under the command of Sergt. Connolly, whilst six men from the same company acted as bearers. Following the family mourners, came the Syston Company of the C.L.B., the Syston Troop B.P. Scouts, and the Syston Home Defence Corps. As the cortege entered the church, the organist played Chopin’s “Marche Funebre.” The burial service was conducted by the Vicar, Rev. T. R. J. Avery, and the lesson was read by the Rev. A. S. Higson (Wesleyan). The procession to the cemetery was watched by about a thousand people. The body having been committed to the grave, and the benediction pronounced, three volleys were fired, and the “Last Post” was sounded. The floral tributes included one from the officers and men of the deceased’s company at Aldershot. Later muffled peals were rung on the church bells.
On Friday June 18th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” - SYSTON’s ROLL OF HONOUR. – The roll of honour exhibited in the Constitutional Club, brought up to date, records the names of 30 members, out of a total of about 300 – who have given their services to King and country – in two cases even to the extreme sacrifice, viz., Capt. H. J. Ward (Leicestershire Yeomanry), and H. Keeling (died). The complete list is as follows:- S. G. Annis, G. Baker, R. Bird, C. Bird, E. Butler, W. J. Byatt, J. Clack, G. F. Deacon, Rev. J. Evans, B. Gamble, W. Goodwin, F. Harrison, H. Keeling, F. Main, J. Marshall, W. McInerney, F. Meadows, F. North, W. North, W. Oswin, A. T. Pritchard, R. Ratcliff, W. Smith, W. Swann, F. Talbott, H. J. Ward, R. Wheatley, L. Wickwar, and F. Wildbore.