| Notes: | MMP. Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 24/8/1915. Class Z Reserve 22/2/1919. Previously served in the 5 Royal Irish Lancers No. 5248.
Extract from the Belfast Telegraph 9 July 1925. WAS VERTRAN OF TWO WARS. ULSTER POSTMAN'S DEATH.
Deep regret has been occasioned amongst this postal colleagues and many old comrades in arms, by the death of Mr. R. McKeown, a member of the postmen's staff of the Belfast GPO.
At the funeral, which took place from his late residence, 71 Mountcollyer Avenue, Belfast, a large number of his supervising officers and colleagues attended to pay their last respects.
Mr Mckeown entered the GPO in April, 1996, serving as a telegraph messenger and assistant postman for three years. At the outbreak of the South African campaign he enlisted in the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, serving with his regiment in the Transvaal, Orange Free State and cape Colony, for which he obtained the Queen's medal with five clasps.
He returned to the GPO in March, 1908 on appointment as postman, serving as such until the outbreak of the Great War. When the PMG granted his consent for men to re-enlist, he volunteered his services ins September, 1914 and was posted to the Corps of Military Mounted Police, joining the headquarters staff of the 23rd Division. He proceeded with this division to France and Italy.
after the Armistice he was demobilised with the rank of Sergeant and returned once more to the GPO. |
