The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G E Keel

George Ernest Keel was born on 23rd July 1920 in Portsmouth, the son of Allen George and Gertrude Agnes Keel.

He joined the RAFVR about May 1939 as an Airman u/t Wop/AG. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 235 Squadron on 13th August 1940.

Keel was one of the crew of Blenheim N3530 which failed to return from a sortie over the Channel on 9th October 1940. Keel and the observer, P/O RC Thomas, were killed and the pilot, P/O JC Kirkpatrick, was reported 'Missing' (report below).

Keel's body was washed up on Fishing Beach (now known as East Beach) at Selsey on 21st October 1940 and was brought to Tangmere.

Above image courtesy of the National Archives.

Keel was 20 and he is buried in Highland Road Cemetery, Eastney.

His brother Private RW Keel of 4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was killed in action on 16th October 1944, his body was not found and he is commemorated on the memorial wall in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Holland.