QSA TO LIEUT KEATE RN HMS PHILOMEL,
which was presented to him by EWdward VII
Correctly impressed - Lieut R H Keate RN HMS Philomel
Condition GVF.
Robert Hudleston Keate joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on November 15th 1885. As a Lieutenant, he served on HMS Philomel during the second Boer War. At the Battle of Colenso, a number of the crew served ashore as part of the Naval Brigade.
Bidding ended. Lot is unsold.
Captain Bearcroft, the Commander of the vessel, along with Keate and
other crew members, were awarded their Queens South Africa medals by Edward VII
at Davenport on March 8th 1902.
On January 16th 1904, he took command of HMS Tweed. Keate retired as a
Commander at his own request. He briefly served at the start of the Great War
on HMS Harrier as a German Interpreter; however, he was sent ashore in
mid-August due to ill health. He was discharged a year later and died in 1924.
