Isaac Keenan, was the 4th born of 5 brothers and had a half-sister from his father’s second marriage. His father John Keenan, born in the district of Tynemouth, Northumberland, (as per census entries), in 1864, married in 1886 at Durham, Elizabeth Keenan, native of Birtley, County Durham, born 1864. Hugh was born at Westwood, near Hamsterley, County Durham in 1889, his parents had settled by 1891 at 68, Derwentside, village of Medomsley. John Keenan was employed as a coal miner, to increment the family income they had taken in 2 boarders, coal miners Patrick Duffy and John Hodgson. Over the next 10 years Elizabeth gave birth to a further 4 children, all sons. John and James Patrick at Waterhouses in 1892 and 1895 respectively, Isaac 1896 at Kimblesworth and Andrew, September 16th 1898 at Pelton. In 1901 they were living at A Street East, Perkinsville, parish of Pelton, County Durham. John was still the only bread-winner, their boarders were now coal miners Thomas McHeaver and Patrick Mooring.

Elizabeth Keenan nee Keenan died in the district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham in May 1905 and interred at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Churchyard, Birtley Lane, Birtley, May 28th 1905.

John Keenan left County Durham with his children and moved to Westerhope, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, he married Esther Mitchinson, native of Hetton, County Durham, born 1882, at Castle Ward, Northumberland, in 1909. Their daughter Margaret, affectionately known as Maggie, was born March 10th 1910 at Westerhope. In 1911 they occupied 3 rooms at 54, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, with the exception of Andrew (11) who attended school, John Keenan and his sons were employed at the colliery, he as a hewer, Hugh (22) a putter, John (18), James Patrick (16) and Isaac (15) as drivers below ground.

Upon the outbreak of war Isaac Keenan enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, where he was assigned as Private 11671 to the 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, which had been formed at Newcastle, September 22nd 1914 as part of Kitchener’s New Armies. The battalion was attached to the 21st Division at Halton Park, initially trained as infantry it was converted to a Pioneer Battalion in February 1915. Private Keenan departed with his regiment, September 9th 1915. Unfortunately, the service record for this soldiers has not been found, it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements. The division participated at the Battle of Loos 1915, Battles of the Somme 1916. Arras, Ypres and Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918, on the Hindenburg Line and the Advance to Victory until the Armistice of November 11th 1918.

Private 11671 Isaac Keenan Northumberland Fusiliers was posted to Class Z Army Reserve, free to return to his home at 32, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope and his employment but under the obligation of returning to the Colours should hostilities with Germany resume. He was discharged from the Army suffering from shell shock and debility, March 16th 1919. Awards 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Although all of his brothers would have been eligible for war service only the details of Private Hugh Keenan, who served with the Durham Light Infantry have been found. Hugh died, “at home,” in 1919 and was interred at Lemington Cemetery, Northumberland.

Isaac married late in life, in 1938 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, to Frances Fairless born 1910, with whom he had an only child, Lillian born in 1938.

Francis Keenan nee Fairless died in 1950 aged 40 years, Isaac Keenan aged 72 years in 1968, details as regards their daughter Lillian as yet unknown.

Exact details as regards the demise of his father John Keenan are uncertain. Census records indicate he was born in 1864, his son’s pension record 1867. A John Keenan died in 1939 aged 71 years (1867/68) in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. It is probable it is he, after his marriage to Esther, who was 17 years his junior, John altered his age in the 1911 census to appear to be slightly older than his years thus reducing the difference in their ages. His widow Esther Keenan nee Mitchinson died in 1948 aged 66 years, registered in the district of Durham Northern.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.