John Walker Keen
This is the memorial page for John Walker Keen, originally from London but for twelve years resident of Ystalyfera, who died after being discharged due to wounding during the First World War.
The information on John Walker Keen comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | John Walker Keen |
| Date of Death | Died 26th December 1917 Burial 29th December 1917 |
| Place of Death | Ystalyfera (Discharged Soldier) |
| Age at Death | 42 |
| Unit and Regiment | |
| Rank | Lance Corporal; Discharged Soldier |
| Service Number | 17273 |
| Additional Information | Sailed for France December 1915 |
| Cemetery | HOLY TRINITY CHURCHYARD – GODRE’RGRAIG, SWANSEA, UK - plot currently unknown |
| Memorial | |
| Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial |
| Family Details | Husband of Mrs. Delina Keen, 18 Ynysydarren Road, Ystalyfera. Married in Shoreditch London in 1894. Delina Keen died on 12th April 1925 aged 52, and was buried on 16th April 1925 at Holy Trinity - see the report in the Labour Voice newspaper |
| Probable Children | Ann Keen, died aged 20 hours and buried 1st February 1911 in Holy Trinity Churchyard Frederick Keen, died aged 4 months and buried 21st March 1912 in Holy Trinity Churchyard |
| Known Siblings |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 10th March 1917:-
On Wednesday evening under the auspices of the local Soldiers and Sailors Reception Fund, there was a good gathering at the English Congregational Chapel to do honour to two local soldiers home from the front, namely, Private Leslie Thomas son of Mr and Mrs William Thomas Pantteg and Private Keen of Gurnos. Both soldiers have been seriously wounded and are home on sick leave..............................
During the interval in the programme a cheque for 10sh was presented to each of the heroes on behalf of the inhabitants of Ystalyfera.
From the Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, 28th December 1917:-
Mr J W Keen(e). A painter of Ynysydarren Road Ystalyfera, died very suddenly on Wednesday night. When his wife left him at 6.30pm he was taking a rest. When she returned two hours later she found her husband dead in the chair. Deceased was 42 years of age and a discharged soldier. He had been attended for some time by Dr Walsh for rheumatism.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 29th December 1917 :-
The death took place suddenly at his home on the evening of Boxing Day of Mr John Walter Keen, painter, of 18 Ynysydarren Road. His wife, Mrs Delina Keen, left the house at about 6.30 in the evening, when her husband was apparently in good health but when she returned at about 8.30 she found he had died in a chair by the fire. Dr Walsh was called, and said that Mr Keen must have died soon after his wife’s departure from the house. He had been attending deceased for rheumatism and death was attributed to syncope brought on by this malady.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 5th January 1918 :-
PAGE 2
The funeral of Mr. J. W. Keen whose death we reported in our last issue took place on Saturday at Holy Trinity Church. Owing to the fact that deceased was a discharged soldier the funeral was a semi-military one, a firing party from Swansea, together with a bugler who sounded the Last Post at the graveside attended. The Ystalyfera Town Band under the conductorship of Mr. Paul Evans played The Dead March en route to the Churchyard. There was a large number of sympathisers present. The Rev. Jas. Jones B.A., was the officiating minister together with the Rev. Oliver Davies B.A.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 27th July 1918 :-
Mrs J. W. Keen, of 18, Ynisydarren Road, Ystalyfera, has received the King's Certificate granted to her late husband for service in France with the 14th Battalion R.W.F. (Transport Section to Royal Engineers) during the two years previous to his decease on 26th December 1917. He had previously served in the South African War in the City of London Engineers, and had earned both the Queen's and King's Medals for that campaign. Members of the family have served in the Forces for an aggregate period exceeding 100 years.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 18th April 1925 :-
PAGE 2
The death took place on Sunday morning of Mrs Delina Keen, widow of the late Mr. J. W. Keen, 18 Ynysydarren Road at the age of 55 years. Her husband died 7 years ago. There are no children left. The funeral took place on Thursday at Holy Trinity.