Robert Kekewich
| Robert Kekewich | |
|---|---|
Robert Kekewich
|
|
| Born | 17 June 1854 |
| Died | 5 November 1914 (aged 60) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Rank | Major-General |
| Battles/wars |
Third Anglo-Burmese War Second Boer War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Major-General Robert George Kekewich, CB (17 June 1854 – 5 November 1914) was a Victorian era British Army officer.
Kekewich was the second son of Trehawke Kekewich, of Peamore House, near Exeter, Devon, and the grandson of Samuel Trehawke Kekewich. He was also the brother of Sir Trehawke Herbert Kekewich, 1st Baronet and the nephew of the judge Sir Arthur Kekewich. He was educated at Marlborough, and entered the army through the militia in 1874. Kekewich joined the Buffs on 2 December 1874. He fought in the Perak War of 1875-6, and in the Sudan, 1884-5, where he gained a brevet majority. He was employed as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General in the Sudan campaign of 1888, and afterwards as military secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, Madras, and was engaged in the Third Anglo-Burmese War.
He was promoted into the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) and commanded the 1st Battalion of that regiment in the Second Boer War. He commanded the garrison in Kimberley during the siege and successful defence of the town, during which time he came into conflict with Cecil Rhodes who was also present. Following the relief of the town on 15 February 1900, Rhodes persuaded John French, commanding the relief force, to replace Kekewich with another officer as commander of the garrison. Kekewich received a brevet promotion to colonel for his services a week later, on 21 February 1900. In late September 1901 he was wounded in an attack by General de la Rey near Moedwil, but soon recuperated. In April 1902 he was in charge during the British victory at the Battle of Rooiwal, the last major battle during the war. He stayed in South Africa until peace had been signed in June 1902, when he returned to England on the SS Carisbrook Castle, landing at Southampton in early August. In a despatch dated 23 June 1902, Lord Kitchener, Commander in Chief in South Africa during the latter part of the war, wrote how Kekewich had "maintained his high reputation as a fine soldier of character, loyalty and discretion" throughout the war, and concluded that he was "well qualified to hold high command." For his services, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), and on 22 August 1902 he was promoted major general. In early August 1902 he was placed on half-pay.
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