204622 Pte. Michael Keogh British Army 2nd Btn. Dublin Fusiliers from:Kilkenny, Ireland. My father, Pte. Michael Keogh,(No.32276 'A' Company - 2nd Battalion), joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, I think around 1918, putting his age up in order to join his brother Patrick Keogh who had just returned from serving in France. My father went to Turkey, Asia Minor, with the Black Sea Army and served in the Anatolian Mounted Infantry. From there he went to India with the RDF and served on the northwest frontier(Punjab) in what is now Pakistan. His discharge certificate is marked 30-10-1926.
He wrote numerous poems and vignets about this period of his life; some of which show extraordinary sensitivity in one so young. In addition, his sense of humour as experienecd through the daily life of a soldier, speaks of another generation of tough, hardy and resourceful men. I grew up listening to his 'war stories'and I gathered the impression that despite the dangers and hardships, the time he spent with the "Dubs" was the happiest in his life. Although he abhorred war and its futility, he held his comrades in high esteem and the code of honour they shared.
Michael Keogh migrated to Australia in 1924 and died there at the age of 70 years in 1971. To his last day he still maintained the bearing of a soldier, something he attributed to his training with the Royal Dublin Fusliliers.
I have some photographs and articles which I will post at a later date. I would love to hear from any relatives of former RDF members who served during this time.
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