| Notes: | MMP. 18/7/1855 enlisted in the 11 Hussars, No. 111, born St Paul's, Plymouth about 1835. Served Home 18/7/1855 to 16 Dec 1857, India 18/12/1864 to 26/4/1867, Home 27/4/1867 to 1/8/1867, Home 7/11/1867 to 4/9/1890, to discharge. Home address: 2 Claremont Villa, Ash Road, Aldershot. Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Served in the 11 Hussars 2.1 years, 8 Hussars 9.11 years, 1 Dragoon Guards 1 month, 2 Dragoon Guards. 9.8 years, MMP 13.1 years served a total of 34.10 years. 23/1/68 married Elizabeth Lampard at Tongham. Served in Kotah, 22/30 March 1858 and Gwailer 17/23 June 1858. Probably the only member of the Corps to wear the Indian Mutiny Medal.
Edwin McKeer.
Extract from the Loftus Advertiser 11 January 1890.
AN OLD WARRIOR.
Lieutenant-General Sir Evelyn Wood, VC, GCMG, KCB, commanding the Aldershot Division, accompanied by Colonel H8ildyars, AAG, Major C Broakes, Provost Marshal and other officers of the divisional staff, has presented, on a full parade at Aldeshot, a medal for meritoirous service to Sergeant-Major E. McKeer, of the Military Mounted Police. In doing so (Sergeatn-Major McKeer having been called to the centre of the square0, General Wood, after recalling that both of them had left these shores 32 years ago for the Indian Mutiny, said that he had the greatest pleasure in presenting the decoration which was well deserved. For over 30 years he could vouch for his exemplary character and of the great forbearance he had invariably shown in carrying out his different and odd times difficult duties. This was highly satisfactory as he remembered 28 years ago, when he first came to Aldershot, every regiment was against the Military Police. Men then did no6t understand the o5rders of the military police and resented them; but now, thanks to the tact and good feeling shown by the Corps as a body, as far as he knew, that feeling had entirely disappeared throughout the army. Sergeant-Major McKeer during his long service had done much towards this end and he had the very greatest pleasure in presenting him with the medal. The recipient was already in possession of the medal for the Mutiny campaign and that for long service and good conduct.
Extract from the Aldershot Military Gazette, 6 September 1890. PRESENTATION TO A VETERAN.
On Wednesday morning last a unique incident occurred in the history of the Corps of Military Police, our readers are well aware, the veteran sergeant-major of this force (Regimental Sergeant Major E McKeer) is about to retire after a service of over 36 years, during the greater part of which time he has held this responsible post in the camp and town of Aldershot. The members of the corps, knowing that the compulsory age clause compelled him to retire, determined to show their appreciation and goodwill in some substantial form, and this decision on their part was brought to a happy conclusion on Wednesday. About mid-day the whole of the corps off duty assembled in one of the barrack huts, there being no available mess room for the corps as in other departments, and the sergeant-major, who is now on furlough pending discharge, was called in. On the barrack table was placed a handsome silver tea and coffee service bearing the inscription: Presented to Sergt.-Major McKeer by his comrades of the military police, after his long service, and the general good feeling he displayed towards all ranks." Sergt.-Major Leonard, of the Military Foot Police, in making the presentation spoke of the good qualities of Sergt.-Major McKeer, and expressed regret of the whole corps that he was leaving. It was gratifying to know that the detachments in Egypt and all other out stations had spontaneously accorded their support = many men who perhaps had never know him except through the representation of old comrades. Sergeant-Major McKeer in acknowledging the present, which was accompanied by a purse of gold, was visibly affected. he thanked them for the support he had always received, and said was sorry to leave the service with which he had been so long connected, but he hoped that for many years "he would remain in touch with them in his civil life. He had received many presents and testimonials of respect outside the corps, but his greatest pleasure was to receive a present from the members of his own corps. he would also take the opportunity of expressing his thanks to the civil police and others outside of the military circles for the support he had invariably received in carrying out his sometimes arduous duties, and in this connection would like especially to mention the press. The press had always assisted the military policeman their various functions; it's aid had often proved a great service to the corps generally, and no one knew that better than himself. He hoped his successor would would give the representative of the press and receive from them the same courtesy that had always been shown to him. Before the Sergeant-Major left his quarters the horses were taken out of the vehicle and men of his old corps dragged it to the top of hospital Hill where he left the parade amidst loud cheers from a large assembly who turned out from quarters.
Extract from the Aldershot Military Gazette 13 December 1890.
PRESENTAITON TO A VETERAN.
Last week an event came off at the Bank Tavern that will not be easily forgotten the occasion being the presentation by the inhabitants of Aldershot of a lasting souvenir to Regimental-Sergt. E McKeer, of the Military Mounted Police, who recently retired from he service under the age clause.
Everybody in Aldershot knows how greatly "Mac" was respected and it is a pleasing feature in this matter to know that from the members on the bench to the most humble of our neighbours, all took a share in responding to a call, so very feelingly put forward by Mr William Young, late detective sergeant of Hants. Constabulary, who had thorough knowledge of Mr. McKeer's sterling work. The presentation was made ty Mr Young in the name of the townsmen, and very appropriately so, considering how long a time the two police officers have been associated together. Mr Young in doing so said "He was sure all would bear him out in his fervent hope that a long and prosperous career was before their old friend who had proved himself a good old soldier and also a bona fide confrere to the Aldershot public." The town was indebted to Mr McKeer for the great help he had invariably rendered the civil police, who had done very much to preserve good order and discipline. In conclusion the health of Mr. and Mrs, McKeer and family was proposed and drunk with much cordiality and the evening, after a rather touching reply from Sergt.-Major McKeer, was closed with harmony. As the affair was not wished to be made too public, the company was not large, but sufficiently so to show the representative nature of the occasion. The watch bore the following inscription:- "Presented to Sergt.-Major E. McKeer, of the Military Mounted Police, together with a purse of gold, by the inhabitants of Aldershot, in appreciation of assistance rendered to the town generally during his 35 years service. - Nov. 1890." The watch was made by Lyons, of Hatton Garden. Sergeant-Major McKeer served throughout the Indian Mutiny with the 8th Hussars, and went abroad in the same ship as Sir Evelyn Wood. He was made a warrant officer in 1881. |
