David Keay, a young man who grew up on his family’s farm outside of Unity, moved to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Africa to work in the gold mines with his uncle. He wrote home to his parents and siblings often, outlining some of the interesting things he was doing. This is a continuation of David’s story.
Working in the gold mines can be hard on one’s body, including young David who started having issues with knee joint boils in early July 1939. The doctors in Springs are baffled to see many cases of boils on underground workers. David gets his boils taken care of at the Springs Hospital with poultices and a hot box that is put over his legs. Although his knees improve, he is not fit to go underground.
David writes on July 17, 1939, about his recent purchase of a pair of Impala buck horns, which he mounted on the front bumper of his car. He made a comment that they “look really snooty”. In his letter, he also responds to the royal visit in Unity made by the King and Queen and informs them he received a bundle of the Unity Herald papers as well.
David’s education is still ongoing, he travelled to Johannesburg at the end of July for his Provisional Blasting Certificate, which qualifies him to conduct blasting operations at the mine.
David’s left knee starts to swell, which requires surgery. He is given chloroform prior to the operation and morphine to deaden the pain afterwards. He was allowed to return to work in the office, giving his knee a chance to heal. He signs his letter “Well, goodbye for now” rather than his usual “Your affectionate son and brother, David”.
Without realizing it, this will be the last letter David ever writes to his family in Unity.
David’s uncle, Sandy, also writes back to Unity periodically. In his letter dated Aug. 9, 1939, he mentions he had recently read an article in the Free Press newspaper on knee issues, which he found interesting since David has been having troubles with his left knee. David was hospitalized twice, the first time for five days and the second admission lasted 10 days. Sandy reports that boils are not easy to rid of, but the medical staff had to cut into the opening to be drained.
Although David is experiencing pain, he and Sandy want to get away for the afternoon to the Kruger Game Reserve as David wants to see the wild game. David is also thinking of taking up golfing.
Uncle Sandy writes another letter dated Aug. 25, 1939, informing the family that David is busy with schooling again. David had befriended a nurse and hinted to Sandy that he should be the one to write this week’s letter. Sandy said she was a very nice girl, and they are planning to visit her aunt and several friends.
It was shortly after this last letter that David was involved in a mining accident. He was injured after falling off a rock. There is no record of letters being sent home during this time.
David succumbs to his injuries, passing away at the age of 21 on Sept. 27, 1939. While the details surrounding his death are not quite known, there is a theory that one of his legs was badly injured in the fall. Doctors were recommending amputation to save David’s life however David did not want to be amputated. It is suspected that infection set into the leg, turning it gangrene and costing the young man his life.
Sandy writes the last letter of 1939, addressed to Grace and Davie. He says they all have tragedies in life and must be brave and face them.
“Well, this year has been terrible for the whole world with wars and earthquakes. There was a terrible one in Anatolia where it was estimated 30,000 killed, 40,000 injured and thousands homeless. Then the disasters at sea, on the road, etc. Aye and the mines, recently some bad accidents had happened up at the gold mines in Timmins, Ont. due to rock falls. We won’t dwell on these tragedies. I just wish and hope that 1940 will see the end of this and that peace shall reign over the Earth. Love to you all and best wishes for 1940. Your affectionate brother Alick aka Sandy.”
Alexander Ramsay Keay (Sandy) continued to reside in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Africa after his nephew’s death. Sandy passed away June 25, 1957, in Durban.
In 2024, David’s niece Barb Robinson travelled to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Africa on the mission to visit her uncle and great-uncle’s resting place. She paid her respects by leaving behind a small maple leaf-shaped bottle of Canadian maple syrup. Two journalists in the area learned of Robinson’s visit and began publicizing the experience. They introduced Robinson to a genealogist, who was able to present a copy of David’s death certificate. Robinson continues to research David’s passing in hopes a cause of death can be uncovered.
