Thomas Booth Keyms
Thomas Booth Keyms (1879-1916)
1916 Obituary [1]
Sec. Lieut. Thomas BOOTH KEYMS, Royal Field Artillery, was born at Cork on 26th October 1879.
He received his early education at Cork Model School and at Queen Street Collegiate Schools, and in 1896 matriculated at the Royal University of Ireland. His technical instruction was received at the Schools of Science and Art, Cork.
He began his apprenticeship in 1897, at Messrs. Dubs and Co., Queen's Park Works, Glasgow, where he also acquired two years' drawing office practice. He obtained further experience on the Caledonian Railway at their running sheds at Polmadie.
On leaving Messrs. Dubs and Co., he was for a time assistant to Messrs. Strain and Robertson, Consulting Engineers, Glasgow, and from 1905 to 1908 he was in charge of locomotive and rolling stock work.
He left for Brazil in the latter year, where he took up the duties of Assistant Locomotive Engineer in charge of the Southern District of the Great Western Railway of Brazil.
He joined the Colours during the European War, receiving a Commission as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery Special Reserve. While serving his apprenticeship in Glasgow he was a member of the 1st Lanark Volunteers, and while in Brazil, was a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen.
His death took place in action on 19th July 1916, in his thirty-seventh year, as a result of a shell bursting at his feet in the course of artillery action where, from the report of his brother officers, he showed conspicuous bravery in carrying out his duty.
He was elected a Member of this Institution in 1913.