THE " BOY HERO " OF THE CRIMEA.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 41

THE " BOY HERO " OF THE CRIMEA.

(Public Opinion.)

With reference to an inquest held at Battersea on Thomas Keep, the " Boj Hero " of the Crimea, the following is an extract from a story, published some years ago, with reference to the deceased :— " Thomas Ke ep, of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, aged 10 years, was a very proud boy when he first donned his gay red uniform and sounded the bugle oall morning and night in the bairack square or outside the guard room. He felt himself every inch a soldier when he lay down with his boots on to sleep in the guard bed at night, ready to turn out in a moment when the orderly officer went his rounds. Bat his excitement knew no bounds when the startling order came for the army to proceed to the seat of war in Russia. He vna wild with delight when his turn came to depart. The plucky little fellow did bis dut.y manfully, and kept up his spirits and health, notwithstanding all the terrible sights and sofforiogs he witnessed, which crushed man y brave hearts around him. He passed unharmed through the battle of Balaclava. Then set in that dreary November^ — colder, darker, gloomier even than it waß in England. The early morning of the sth found him sleeping amid his comrades. N ne will forget thft dawn of that eventful day. The terrible fire suddenly opened from 90 pieces of artillery, placed stealthily by the enemy dnring the night on heights commanding our position, awoke oar troops from sleep, and, like roused liono, they turned out at once to fight to the death. . . Our men fought with idomitable courage, but in many piaoes the enemy outnumbered them 40 to one. Whan the darkness of the winter night fell the victory was ours. . . , When the clear full moon shone out between the clouds what a sight of horror wa» revealed 1 A grey, quivering mass covered the heights— lsoo dead and wounded English, French, and Russians. Groans and screams of agony were rising up from all parts. To add to the terrors of the scene, the Russians from their ships in the barbonr and from the fortifloations to the north were throwing a perfect storm of shells all over the field, killing their own and our wounded, Among all these a sturdy little figure in red came and went, evidently with a purpose in view. • It's little Tom Keep,' said many a soldier; ' whatever can the lad be at ? He must be dead beat. Why can't be stay out of reaoh of the shells instead of walking about among them like that ? Still Tom went on steadily with his work, tearing <iown rails, picking up wood or anything that would burn. Soon a good big flro was burning, the mere sight; of which warmed and cheered many a Borely wounded man who lay shivering In agony under the sweep of the bitter, restless wind. Eagerly dim eyes watched the boy's movements as he bent over something he was apparently boilirjg on the fire. Then with cheery words he moved amid that; sufferlrg, helpless tbrong of prostrate forms, 1 Have a drink of hot tea ? ' he said, offering a mug to the cold, quivering lips of many a fainting comrade, who murmured a heartfelt blessing as he passed on with the welcome refreshment. That cup of hot tea brought back life and hope to many fainting hearts, and gave them strerjpth to wait on till further aid came. . . . Well and bravely Keep bore himself through the long hours of battle and carnage, shirking no fatigue, showing no fear amid scenes which tried the nerve or hardened veterans. Well did he deserve the honourable mention he recsived from his colonel for his personal bravery in the field, and for his geK-sacriuoing devotion to tho wounded/