Colonel R.G. Kekewich was born on 17 June 1854 and entered the military as a twenty year old.
At the outbreak of the South African War (1899-1902) he was the commander of the garrison in Kimberley and as such was in the town during the siege. He saw action during the guerrilla phase of the war and was wounded in September 1901 in a skirmish with General de la Rey’s commando.
In April 1902 he commanded the British force in the last set piece battle of the war at the Battle of Rooiwal.
