Albert William Keepin was the eldest of 7 brothers and had 5 younger sisters, of whom only 4 survived, Elizabeth born 1883 died in 1884. His father Frederick Esau Keepin was born October 11th 1846 at 13, Lime Kiln Lane, Bristol, Gloucestershire, where he was baptised November 8th. At the age of 21 years he had left his family home and was living at North Street, Timsbury, Somerset, a lodger in the home of James and Elizabeth James and family, employed as a coal miner. He went on to marry their eldest daughter Mary Ann James, born June 16th 1853, at the Registry Office, Bath, August 5th 1871, their daughter Mary Ann was born June 14th 1871 at Timsbury also their son Albert William, October 13th 1872. Over the next 2 years they had migrated to the north east and settled at Willington, County Durham, James Henry was born there December 19th 1874, Charles October 22nd 1876 at Spennymoor, Oliver November 23rd 1878 at Howden-le-Wear, Frederick April 9th 1881, Elizabeth Hannah October 15th 1885, Arthur December 20th 1887 at Crook, Ethel May 18th 1892, Ada February 4th 1894 and Ernest Alfred November 26th 1897 at Waterhouses. In 1891 they were living at 2, Leamington Terrace, Brandon where Frederick, son Albert William (27) and Charles (23) were employed as hewers, Frederick Jnr (19) as a putter and Arthur (14) below ground as a driver. They had moved to 35, Office Street, Cornsay Colliery by 1911 where they worked at the local colliery and had also taken into their home, nephews Frederick Keepin (8), Michael Collins (18) a coal miner and his sister Mary Ann (16).

When war broke out with Germany, despite his age of 42 years 1 month, he enlisted along with his brother ArthurNovember 15th 1914 and was assigned as Private 345 to the newly formed 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, joining his regiment at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 18th, however, he was discharged at Newburn, January 1st 1915 under King’s Regulations 392(iii), “not being likely to become an efficient soldier,” as it had been discovered under further examination that he was suffering from displaced cartilage, degree of disability 30%. He received an Army disability pension of 7 shillings 10 pence a week.

Albert William was married in the district of Lanchester, County Durham in 1936 to Mary H Rodgers native of Stockton, born 1874. Albert William Keepin of 35 Office Street, Cornsay Colliery died in 1951 aged 78 years.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.