Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ellen, and the late John Keech. His brother Donald Freeman also fell. The 1901 census records for The Hermitage, Brampton Ash, Northants. John Keech, head of the family and a Farmer, born 1862 In Piets Hill, Bedfordshire, and his wife Ellen, born 1861 in Wellingborough, Northants. Also C. J. William, son born 1890 in Church Brampton, Northants, D. Freeman, son born 1891, Sarah D. Mary, daughter born 1894, Roland B., son born 1896 and Elizabeth M. Ellen, born 1898, the latter four children were all born in Brampton Ash, Northants., also in residence were, Lilian Mary Budden, Servant and Domestic Governess, born 1880 in Bridport, Dorset, E. Catherine Houghton, Servant and Domestic Cook, born 1879 in Broughton, Northants and M. Louisa Austin, Servant and Domestic Housemaid, born 1881 in Rothwell, Northants. The 1911 census records for Cavendish House, Caroline Parade, Hastings, Sussex. Mary Ann Aggett, head of the family and single, a Lodging House Keeper, born 1875 in Gidleigh, Devonshire, Tom Eveleigh, visitor and single, of Independent Means, born 1846 in Whimple, Devonshire, Ellen Keech, visitor and a Widow, a Farmer and Grazier, born 1861 in Wellingborough, Northants., Sarah Doris Mary Keech, visitor, single and a Scholar, born 1894 in Brampton Ash, Northants, Roland Brampton Keech, visitor, a Scholar, born 1896 in Brampton Ash, Northants., Mary Ann Brazier, Servant, single, born 1858 in Hastings, Sussex. The War Diary for the 27th September 1915 records. LOOS. At 6.00am. The enemy again made another counter attack and advanced on our front line trenches in mass, by 7.30am owing both heavy casualties and no relief, we were driven from the front line trenches and took up a second line 100 yards in rear, this was lost and retaken several times during the day, fighting continuing incessantly. At 11.00pm. The Battalion was relieved, when this took place we still held the second line of trenches. NOTE: Owing to continued shelling no food or water ever reached the men, thus they had no food except the iron ration, since leaving BRUUAY. [sic]. During Saturday night rain fell heavily, with showers on Sunday, conditions were very bad as the soil being a clay mixture made quick improvements impossible. The casualties were very heavy, the total being 402 – all ranks killed and wounded missing. The Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. A. PARKIN), Captain V. D. SHORTT and LT. L. L. PHIPPS were killed. Major -?-, Captain E. C. MANSFIELD, Captain -?-, Lt. MARSHALL, 2nd Lt. SAUNDERS were wounded. Captain D. H. FARRAR, wounded slightly and remained at duty. Lt. J. N. MORLEY, Lt. J. L. URQUHART, wounded and missing.