Shortly after the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, in poor health and suffering from depression, Colonel Robert George Kekewich took his own life at the age of 60 on 5 November 1914. He had been invalided from his command and hospitalized.
During the South African War (1899-1902) he commanded the garrison in Kimberley during the siege and successful defence of the town.
He played a major role in the guerrilla phase of the war in the Western Transvaal. In late September 1901 he was wounded in an attack by the Boers under the command of General de la Rey. On 11 April 1902 he was in charge of the British forces at the Battle of Rooiwal which was the last major battle of the war.
