Forum Eerste Wereldoorlog

[vetje]

Memorial to Second Lieutenant Rae






On the front of the memorial, above the base, is the inscription "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life". Below this is an inscription stating that the memorial is in memory of Keith Rae of the 8/Rifle Brigade, "the dearly loved youngest son of Edward and Margaret Rae". It goes on to state that Second Lieutenant Rae was killed on this spot on the 30th of July, 1915, "fighting in the Great War for humanity". However, there is an inscription on the rear of the base which explains that the memorial was originally placed beside Hooge Crater Cemetery and dedicated there in May 1921, and was transferred to the present spot, outside Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, in 1966. Although this is inscribed on the memorial itself, other sources suggest the original location was in the grounds of Hooge Chateau, acroos the road from Hooge Crater Cemetery, and that the cross was moved in 1968.

Second Lieutenant Rae's full name was Thomas Keith Hedley Rae, although Keith was obviously the name used by his family. His family were from Birkenhead, and he was aged 25 when he was killed. His name, as one of those with no known grave, is inscribed on the Menin Gate. At the very bottom of the memorial at the front, an inscription states that the memorial is also in memory of 2/Lt Rae's brother officers and men who fell that same morning and afternoon - the 30th of July, 1915. On that day, the Germans attacked at Hooge early in the morning, using their new weapon - 'liquid fire'. Keith Rae is said to have stood on the parapet of his trench, burned and wounded but still resisting the oncoming Germans.