A Dundonian Digger's & ANZAC Gallipoli Veteran & later France Fatal Casualty'medal group of 3: Sergeant Robert Ritchie Keir, 17th Company Australian Army Service Corps, 2nd Australian Divisional Train, Australian Imperial Force

- 1914-15 Star (6524 Dvr. R.R. Keir. 17.A.S.C. A.I.F.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (6524 S-Sgt. R.R. Keir. 17-A.S.C. A.I.F.)
- Interallied Victory Medal: (6524 S.Sgt. R.R. Keir. 17-A.A.S.C. A.I.F.)

Number & surname on BWM only with officially impressed corrections

Gallipoli Service: Embarked 4 September 1915, at Australia, aboard S.S. 'Minnewaska' for Gallipoli Peninsula. Later recorded as suffering from 'Frostbite' and posted to Hospital 05/12/915 (service papers held & accessible at The Australian National Archives refer)

Photograph: The recipients identified / captioned portrait wearing his Australian distinctive slouch hat with feather plumes was - together with an obituary - published in the Dundee newspaper 'The Peoples Journal' issue of 20 October 117, issue of October 1917

Killed on Active Service, France & Flanders, 11 October 1917: Staff Sergeant Robert Ritchie Keir, Australian Army Service Corps, Australian Imperial Force, is confirmed having been killed in a 'Motor Traffic' accident while on 'Rations Duty', The board of inquiry with several witness reports are all contained in his extant service papers. The witness report by his officer, Lieutenant B. J. Boles, is here quoted in full:

Quote,

On the 11th. October 1917, about 11.15 a.m. we were issuing rations to 7th Bde. S/Sergt Keir was in charge of 1st issue, during my absence at Rail Head. Immediately on my return I met him, he inquire if all the wagons were coming. I replied "Yes", I Sall be there in about 5 minutes". I went to the Orderly Room, someone came to the Orderly Room and informed me that S/Sergt. Keir had been wounded. I ran out immediately and proceeded to the scene, which was near the 7th. Bde. Refilling Point. and I there saw S/Sergt. Keir. on a stretcher, he was dead. I did not see the accident myself, but from making enquiries from the men gathered there, I was informed that S/Sergt Keir had been riding on the Perch Pole of one of the limbers, and he stepped off to cross to the Refilling Point, when he was immediately struck by a lorry proceeding in the opposite direction. I saw S/Sergt. Keir 5 minutes before he was killed, he was perfectly sober at the time of the accident. I know S/Sergt. Keir to be very shortsighted.

(Sgd) Basil J. Boles, Lieut.

Unquote.

Other witness reports, including a much more detailed one than above are all contained in the recipient's extant service papers, held and accessible at The National Archives of Australia

The supreme sacrifice and memory of Staff Sergeant Robert Ritchie Keir is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, located at West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Medal Verification: All 3 x medals are confirmed as entitled and issued to the recipient's parents living in Dundee, Scotland

The Dundee newspaper 'The Peoples Journal' issue of, 20 October 1917, contained the below following article, with photograph, pertaining to the death of Staff Sergeant Robert Ritchie Keir:

Quote,

Staff-Sergeant Robert R. Keir, Australian Army Service Corps, who died as the result of an accident in France, was a son of Mr & Mrs. W. Keir, 51 Crescent Street. Sgt. Keir left Dundee about six years ago for Australia, where he was engaged in the sugar industry. On the outbreak of hostilities he joined up with the Australians and saw service at Gallipoli and on the Somme. He was well known in Dundee, being prominently identified with half-holiday football, and was a playing member of the Roineach Mhor and Northern Football Clubs. It is only a month since he paid a visit to his parents and friends in Dundee. He was 28 years of age.

Unquote.

The medals of crisp pristine appearance

Condition: EF

Code: 24947