As Commodore, Rear Admiral Keyes commanded the Submarine Flotilla in operations in the Heligoland Bight on August 28th, 1914. On the morning of the day in question, in company with the "Firedrake," he searched the area to the southward of the Battle Cruisers for the enemy's submarines, and, having been detached, was present at the sinking of the German Cruiser "Mainz," when he gallantly proceeded alongside her in the "Lurcher" and rescued 220 of her crew, many of whom were wounded. Subsequently, he escorted the "Laurel" and the "Liberty" out of action and kept them company till Rear-Admiral Campbell's cruisers were sighted.
He commanded the submarines co-operating in the air reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight on December 25th, 1914, and received the "expression of Their Lordships' appreciation" for this service.
He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the King on September 15th, 1914, and in 1915 became Chief of the Staff to Vice-Admiral Sir J. M. de Robeck, commanding the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, holding that post during both the landing on and the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula, for which he was commended in despatches, and on January 1st, 1916, he was awarded the C.M.G. for his services during the war.
In further recognition of these services he also received the D.S.O. on June 3rd of the same year, on April 7th of which he had been decorated Commander of the Legion of Honour by the President of the French Republic.
He was appointed to the command at Dover on January 1st, 1918, being given acting Vice-Admiral's rank. He was in command of the units that carried out the attack on Zeebrugge and Ostend on April 23rd, flying his flag in H.M. Destroyer "North Star." On April 24th His Majesty the King signified his approval of the promotion of Vice-Admiral Keyes to be a member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Military Division), "in recognition of his distinguished service in Command of the operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend on Tuesday, April 23rd, 1918."
Rear-Admiral Keyes in addition to the above-named honours holds the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus of Italy, and the Order of the Redeemer (Third Class) of Greece.
The Western Front
Drawings by MUIRHEAD BONE
"They illustrate admirably the daily life of the troops under my command."