Robert Kekewich | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 June 1854 |
| Died | 5 November 1914 (1914-11-06) (aged 60) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1874 – 1914 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Battles / wars | Third Anglo-Burmese War Second Boer War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Major-GeneralRobert George Kekewich,CB (17 June 1854 – 5 November 1914) was aBritish Army officer who saw service in four wars.
Kekewich was the second son of Trehawke Kekewich, of Peamore House, nearExeter,Devon, and the grandson ofSamuel Trehawke Kekewich. He was also the brother ofSir Trehawke Herbert Kekewich, 1st Baronet and the nephew of the judge SirArthur Kekewich. He was educated atMarlborough and King Edward's School, Birmingham.
Entering the British Army through the militia, Kekewich joined theBuffs on 2 December 1874. He fought in thePerak War of 1875–6, and in theSudan, 1884–5, where he gained a brevet majority. He was employed as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General in the Sudan campaign of 1888, and afterwards as military secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, Madras, and was engaged in theThird Anglo-Burmese War.[1]
Kekewich was promoted into theLoyal Regiment (North Lancashire) and commanded the 1st Battalion of that regiment in theSecond Boer War. He commanded the garrison inKimberley during thesiege and successful defence of the town, during which time he came into conflict withCecil Rhodes who was also present. Following the relief of the town on 15 February 1900, Rhodes persuadedJohn French, commanding the relief force, to replace Kekewich with another officer as commander of the garrison. Kekewich received abrevet promotion tocolonel for his services a week later, on 21 February 1900.[2] In late September 1901 he was wounded in an attack by Generalde la Rey nearMoedwil,[3] but soon recuperated. In April 1902 he was in charge during the British victory at theBattle of Rooiwal, the last major battle during the war. He stayed in South Africa until peace had been signed in June 1902, when he returned to England on theSS Carisbrook Castle, landing atSouthampton in early August.[4] In adespatch dated 23 June 1902,Lord Kitchener, Commander in Chief in South Africa during the latter part of the war, wrote how Kekewich had "maintained his high reputation as a fine soldier of character, loyalty and discretion" throughout the war, and concluded that he was "well qualified to hold high command."[5]
For his services Kekewich was appointed a Companion of theOrder of the Bath (CB) in the April 1901 South Africa Honours list (the award was dated to 29 November 1900;[6] he only received the actual decoration from KingEdward VII atBuckingham Palace on 24 October 1902[7]), and on 22 August 1902 he was promotedmajor general for distinguished service in the Field.[8] In early October 1902 he was placed onhalf-pay.[9]
Kekewich retired from the army in 1904 but was appointed to the honorary position of Colonel of the Buffs on 5 October 1909.[1][10]
In 1912 he was Best Man at the wedding ofRobert Baden-Powell, and later was Godfather to his sonPeter Baden-Powell.
On the outbreak ofWorld War I in 1914 Kekewich was appointed to the13th (Western) Division,[11] which he commanded until shortly before his death by suicide (gunshot to his head) at the age of 60 on 5 November 1914.[12] In poor health and suffering from depression, Kekewich had been invalided from his command and hospitalized before returning to his home near Exeter.[13] He was buried in St Martin's Churchyard,Exminster, Devon.[14]
The historianThomas Pakenham describes Kekewich as "a pleasant ... unassuming man" but also a serious, painstaking soldier with strong nerves and diplomatic skills.[15] These traits were needed during the siege of Kimberley when Cecil Rhodes behaved in an emotional and irresponsible manner, undermining Kekewich's leadership and standing with his military superiors,[16] and at one stage threatening to surrender the town.[17]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New post | GOC 13th (Western) Division August–October 1914 | Succeeded by H. B. Jeffreys |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
