James & John O'Keeffe
Jim & Jack O'Keeffe
Born in Ballynoe County Cork. Son of John and Mary O'Keeffe, of Newtown Cottage, Ballynoe, Co. Cork.. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial.
James (Jim) O’Keeffe, K32657, Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Tornado. K.I.A. 23/12/1917 aged 22
HMS Tornado, HMS Torrent and HMS Surprise, were all three lost to a minefield laid by the Germans one month before, near the Maas light Vessel to protect the port of Rotterdam. They were all three just newly built in 1916-1917 and were at that time the best destroyers the British Royal Navy had. HMS Torrent hit first, HMS Surprise went to assist and was mined, and as HMS Tornado tried to get clear, she detonated two mines and sank with only one survivor. Only HMS Radiant got home. A total of 252 men were lost.
John (Jack) O’Keeffe, K32179. Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Bittern. Died 4th, April, 1918 aged 20
On 4 April 1918, Bittern was involved in a collision with SS Kenilworth off the Isle of Portland in thick fog. The destroyer was overwhelmed and sank quickly with the loss of all hands
One photo, two men in naval uniform
CREATOR
Ellen Casey (nee O'Keeffe)
niece of Jim & Jack
DATE
/
LANGUAGE
und
ITEMS
1
INSTITUTION
Europeana 1914-1918
PROGRESS
METADATA
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Album/folder of documents re J Wedge. Folder includes soldiers' small book and an Effects form with family entitlement. || James Wedge was a professional soldier in the rank of sergeant in the West Riding Regiment. He had fought in the Boer War and also served in India. A letter from 2nd Lt. Dacre describes how he died - he was hit by a German sniper during a trench raid. A rupee coin that James Wedge was carrying was broken when he was killed. The album contains copies and originals of documents relating to his service and death and include a dog tag and a broken rupee. There is also a soldier's small book in the folder.
