'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty south of La Basse Ville on the night of 16th/17th June 1917. This Officer, Acting Adjutant of his Battalion, was sent by his Commanding Officer to obtain information and to clear up a very obscure situation, while fighting was going on to establish a line of outposts. During a heavy enemy bombardment at one point where it was necessary to establish a post, after three attempts had failed, and after a Company and Platoon Commander had both been wounded, he gallantly assisted a fourth attempt which succeeded. It was largely owing to his leadership that the post was established. His courage was an inspiration to the men who tried and failed. He then went round the line of pickets and all Sentry Groups under Heavy shell fire and brought back information that proved of the utmost value.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 1 January 1918

Regimental number	24/1303
Address	PO Box 16, Wanganui
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Father, Judah Henry Keesing, Auctioneer, Wanganui
Rank on embarkation	2nd Lieutenant
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcements, F Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 13 November 1915
	Members of F Company, 2nd Reinforcements, left New Zealand on board two ships, HMNZT 35 'Willochra' and HMNZT 36 'Tofua'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Medals	Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty south of La Basse Ville on the night of 16th/17th June 1917. This Officer, Acting Adjutant of his Battalion, was sent by his Commanding Officer to obtain information and to clear up a very obscure situation, while fighting was going on to establish a line of outposts. During a heavy enemy bombardment at one point where it was necessary to establish a post, after three attempts had failed, and after a Company and Platoon Commander had both been wounded, he gallantly assisted a fourth attempt which succeeded. It was largely owing to his leadership that the post was established. His courage was an inspiration to the men who tried and failed. He then went round the line of pickets and all Sentry Groups under Heavy shell fire and brought back information that proved of the utmost value.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 1 January 1918
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: F Company/2nd Rfts of 2nd NZRB