Person

Hugh Keilty was born in Antrim, Ireland on 25 October 1874. His father was Charles Keilty (1844-1917), an Irishman who came to County Durham to work as a coal miner. His mother was Sarah Keilty nee O’Neill (1849-1926) who was also born in Ireland. The 1911 census records that Hugh’s parents had been married for 37 years during which time 12 children had been born of whom nine were still living. Hugh was the eldest of the living children with six brothers and two sisters.

In 1881 the Keilty family were recorded living at Bob Jin’s, Causey. By 1891 they had moved to 2 Annfield Place, Annfield Plain. In 1901 Hugh was a boarder with a family at Quarry Row, Usworth and working as a coal miner. In 1901 he married Catherine Keilty nee Mooney (1881-1940). She was a coal miner’s daughter from Stanley. Six known children were born to the couple between 1903 and 1911 made up of five girls and one boy. In 1911 the family lived at 8 Shafto Terrace, Washington.

Hugh enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in Consett. He became a private in the 1st Battalion with the service number 4981. He was treated for myalgia in France on 27 March 1915 at No 1 Ambulance Train. He returned to the UK and appears to have been posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion based at East Boldon.

Hugh was recorded as being found dead, accidentally drowned, in Sunderland on 31 December 1915. He was buried in St Joseph’s RC Churchyard, Stanley and honoured at the Memorial Park 1914-18, South Moor. His wife was recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission living at 33 School Terrace, South Moor after his death.

Hugh Keilty was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Stanley

Birth date: 25-Oct-1874

Death date: 31-Dec-1915

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Bob Jin’s, Causey (1881 census)
2 Annfield Place, Annfield Plain (1891 census)
Quarry Row, Usworth (1901 census)
8 Shafto Terrace, Washington (1911 census)
33 School Terrace, South Moor (Commonwealth War Graves Commission record)

Religion: Roman Catholic

Employment: Coal miner – hewer (1901 and 1911 census)

Family: Parents: Charles Keilty (1844-1917), Sarah Keilty nee O’Neill (1849-1926)
Siblings: Daniel Keilty (b 1877), Charles Keilty (b 1878), John Keilty (b 1880), Bernard Keilty (b 1881), Patrick Keilty (b 1883), Jane Ann Keilty (b 1885), Henry Keilty (b 1888), Catherine Keilty (b 1894)
Spouse: Catherine Keilty nee Mooney (1881-1940)
Children: Sarah Jane Keilty (b 1903), Charles Keilty (b 1906), Nora Keilty (b 1904), Joanna Keilty (b 1907), Agnes Keilty (b 1910), Hannah Keilty (b 1911)

Military service:

4981
Private
Northumberland Fusiliers
3rd Battalion

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): St Joseph’s RC Churchyard, Stanley
Memorial Park 1914-18, South Moor

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham