Armadale & District Roll of Honour 1914 - 1919

Distinguished Conduct Medal & French Military Medal

46188 Sergeant James Keddie

84^th Battery

11^th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

 

DCM. (LG 19/08/1916)

For conspicuous gallantry in continuing to work his gun, under shell fire, in a badly damaged pit for three days and nights. His courage and example on many occasions greatly encouraged all ranks with him.

 

Sergeant Keddie was awarded the DCM for his actions on June 3^rd 1916, on the Ypres salient.

 

 

French Military Medal (LG 14/07/1917)

Sgt James Keddie DCM RFA

On the 24^th April 1917, whilst the gun pits were being heavily shelled with lachrymatory shells, Sergeant. Keddie and five men endeavoured to save the position by throwing out the burning shells. The five men were all killed, and Sergeant. Keddie was wounded in the breast.

An official letter was received saying that the French Military Medal would be sent to his home address.

Capt E W Busk MC

 

James was born in Haddington, East Lothian in 1891, he came to Armadale as a very small boy with his uncle Thomas Watson, hairdresser, with whom he became an apprentice.

Later he became a carter for the late Thomas Johnston, where he gained knowledge of horses, in 1906 at age 15 and shortly after he had passed his 15^th birthday James left Armadale to join the Army, he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery.

During his ten years service up to 1916 he has spent a large part of it in India.

After being awarded the DCM he was offered a commission but this he declined.

 

Medal entitlement of Sergeant James Keddie

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1914 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

French Military Medal

 

James left the Army in the early 1920’s, he became a school attendance officer, and later Janitor at Kilmarnock Academy until he retired in 1959.