Keiher, Edwin C (Lieut) WW1

[Julie King]

My great grandfather Cristopher May received an engraved flask donated by the family and engraved "with grateful thanks and appreciation for services rendered in No Mans Land, Cuinchy, France June 8th 1916 Lieut Edwin C Keiher". Can anyone help me find any relation to this Keiher. He may have been German but would love more information
Julie King

[garstonite]

www.freebmd.org.uk  the first record of that family name is a marriage in 1950 for a Keiher
that marriage and their 6 children are followed by a death in 1974 of a Lucy Keiher - it states she was b 1919 ....ALL those records are in Stoke on Trent ....
try asking on the Staffordshire County Board if any member recognises that Surname ??

[jim1]

It's possible he may have been Canadian or an ANZAC. I can't see an MIC for him so it doesn't look like he was in the British Army.
Do you know which Regt. & Batt. your GGrandfather served in ?

[MaureeninNY]

Probably not but maybe worth a mention...there's a Lieutenant Edwin Chappell KELIHER who served in France with the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Maureen

[jim1]

Good find Maureen.
Got on his trail. Can't see anything that mentions a Batt. however the war diary for the 13. Batt. states;
1 June 1916: Relieved by 11th Sussex. A Company moved to Cambrin Point, B to Braddell Castle, C to Cuinchy Keep, Caters Post and Tourbieres.

5 June: Relieved 11th Sussex in same Cuinchy sector. A to right, D in centre, B on left. C in support in Esperanto Terrace. Patrols sent out, but fairly quiet.

8 June: Relieved by 11th Sussex, moved to billets in Annequin North.
So in the right place at the right time.
more digging to be done.
Edit:
Lt. E.C. Keliher was in the 11th RSR in the trenches at Cuinchy on the 8/6/16 having been made C.O. of D Coy a few days earlier.
There was activity but no mention of men going into no-mans-land on that day.
There was mention of the Germans bombing sap 16 at 11 pm. on the 8th. & getting into it but they were dispersed by their bombers.
Really need to know which Batt. your man was in.
found a Cpl. Christopher May RSR no.1131 is this him ?

Edwin married Queenie Upson 1920 & had 3 children, 1 boy & 2 girls so must be descendants around.

[MaxD]

Edwin Chappell Keliher was appointed 2nd Lieut in November 1914 in the Royal Sussex Regiment and transferred on 11 May 1917 to the Army Printing and Stationery Service.  Finished the war as Capt.

maxD

[ShaunJ]

Julie - is it Keiher or Keliher?

I see that there is a medal card for a Corporal Christopher May of the Royal Sussex Regiment (1131)

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

Maybe Christopher MAY was one of the "brave fellows",


Bexhill-on-Sea Observer 17 June 1916


Regards,
Daisy

[MaxD]

I would say it is highly likely and that he subsequently presented Christopher May, and probably others, with a token of his gratitude. 

maxD