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Those who Served
F/O Kabbash . Royal Air Force navigator 101 Sqd. |
Pte. Kanchana Senerat Kadigawe MID. British Army 5th Btn (Scottish) 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade from Sri lanka) Private Kanchana Senerat Kadigawe was the only Sri Lankan to win the Oak Leaves
This is a tribute to SSP Senarat (K.S.) Kadigawe who passed away recently at his ancestral home in Kandy after a distinguished career in the Sri Lanka Police. He was the only Sri Lankan to win the ‘Oak Leaves’ in the British Army during World War II. His death took my mind back to 1976 when for the first time he revealed to a journalist his World War II experiences as a paratrooper in Nazi-occupied Europe. He was then SP (Transport) and I was doing the 'police beat' for the Sunday Observer. At the time Kadigawe was residing at Police Quarters, Keppettipola Mawatha, Colombo, with his family. It all began when he told me that he liked to know the whereabouts of a Greek family that had befriended him during the war. Responding to his request, I had a short news item published on the Sunday Observer front page stating that Kadigawe wished to contact the family of Constantinades who lived in the city of Piraeus. But there was no response to it from anyone, though all details were given. This story is how Kadigawe came into contact with this Greek family. Born in the Wanni, he was one of many young Sri Lankans who had enlisted in the British Royal Army Service Corps at the outbreak of WWII. Having arrived in the Middle-East as a RASC soldier he applied to join the Red Berets. After rigorous training he earned the paratrooper's `wings' thus becoming the only `colored' combatant in the Fifth Battalion (Scottish) 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade.
On July 31, 1944, the now defunct Times of Ceylon ran the following news item under a picture of him in the uniform of the British `Red Berets.' CEYLON MAN AS PARATROOPER SERVING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE Pte. K. Senarat Kadigawe is, if not the only Ceylonese parachutist fighting in this war, one of the few. He is the only coloured man in the 5th Battalion (Scottish) 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade,doing service with the Central Mediterranean Forces… Around this time Greece had fallen to the Germans following a Nazi `blitzkrieg' (lightening attack) in April 1941. By the middle of May, the country was under joint occupation by three Axis powers: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Kingdom of Bulgaria. They brought about terrible hardships for the Greek civilian population. Over 300,000 civilians died from starvation, thousands more through reprisals, and the country's economy was ruined.
In 1944 the Red Berets were ordered to go on a mission to Piraeus. Their target was a power station which supplied electricity to search lights that helped German anti-aircraft gunners to spot British and American planes over Greece. The soldiers including Private Kadigawe boarded a Dakota C-47 transport plane, which took off from their base in North Africa with its lights switched off. The night was pitch-black and the plane was now flying over the Mediterranean. Soon the aircraft was over the `drop zone' in Greece and the green light inside the plane came on. From the open side door the paratroopers dived into the darkness one by one. After landing they studied a map that showed the power station and set off separately on different paths to reach the target lest the enemy captured all of them together. Even so it was no easy task to avoid being caught by German army patrols looking for curfew violators. Destroying the power station however turned out to be easier than the Red Berets had anticipated since it was lightly guarded. Probably the enemy did not expect a ground attack on it and assumed that anti-aircraft defences were sufficient to protect the installation. Two army engineers among the paratroopers cut an opening in the high barbed fire fence and entered the premises while Kadigawe and others covered them, ready to open fire if the two German soldiers guarding the place spotted the intruders. But everything went smoothly and the engineers succeeded in planting two time bombs inside the station. They were set to go off within 24 hours giving enough time for the attackers to flee from the place – or so Kadigawe thought. He and his comrades had been ordered to reach the Greek coast and meet at a designated spot from where a British Royal Navy ship would pick them up.
The real fireworks – both literally and metaphorically – however began when the bombs went off completely destroying the power station. The enraged Germans began combing the entire area like mad dogs looking for the attackers. But the Greeks, except for Nazi collaborators, were thrilled. They were willing to give whatever assistance the British paratroopers required. And it was Kadigawe who needed it most since he was on the verge of being captured. But luck was with him. A Greek Bank official, Constantinades residing nearby came to his help and asked the Sri Lankan soldier to quickly move into his house. Kadigawe was then taken to an upstairs room where he was told to hide. The room belonged to one of Constantinades' daughters. The girl's father told her to pretend to be very sick, get into bed and cover herself with a sheet. Bottles of medicine were placed on a small table near the bed. Kadigawe was then told lie motionless on a very narrow stretch of the floor between the bed and the bedroom wall. A bed sheet fully covered both sides of the bed so well that anyone peeping under the bed could see no soldier between the bed and the wall. The Sri Lankan soldier asked Constantinades why he and his family were risking their lives to protect him. If he was captured the Germans would very likely send him to a POW camp under the Geneva Convention rather than shoot him. But the fate of a Greek civilian found giving shelter to a British soldier would be quite different. The Germans would execute the civilian and perhaps his entire family on the spot in as a `lesson' to others. But Constantinades would hear none of it. He firmly told Kadigawe that it was their patriotic duty to protect all foreigners fighting to liberate Greece from the Nazis. So the paratrooper had no alternative but to follow his instructions.
Soon the Germans were all over the place. Uttering the usual warning through loud hailers, they began searching the houses in the neighbourhood for the escapees. Kadigawe was lying motionless but the tension was unbearable. He could hear his own heart beat. His real fear was for the Greek family. Constantinades' daughter was on the bed pretending to be seriously ill and moaning in `discomfort and pain.' At the Constantinades home the Nazis first began searching every room on the ground floor. Then Kadigawe heard the sound of jackbooted feet The Germans were climbing up the stairs. After thoroughly inspecting every room on the upper floor, they came to the one where Kadigawe was hiding. As the Nazi officer in charge stepped into the room, Constantinades fervently appealed to him to avoid disturbing his very sick daughter. She was in great pain he said. For moment, the German stood there looking hard at the girl, who turned out to be a good `actress.' To her, Kadigawe and Constantinades those few seconds seem like an eternity. Then the officer turned back saying `okay' and climbed down the stairs with his men. Kadigawe did not know how to thank the Greek family.
Soon afterwards he managed to reach the coast where he joined his comrades before the British Navy ship picked them up.
A year later when Kadigawe met the Constantinades family again it was his turn to reciprocate. They were then in very dire circumstances. Following the German surrender and the end of the World War in 1945, Greece found itself in the throes of a civil war between the government and communists who resorted to terrorist acts. Hunger and starvation was widespread. The Allied occupation troops had opened soup-kitchens to serve the hungry masses. The Red Berets were called into assist the Greek authorities in dealing with terrorism. One day, Kadigawe passing one of the food queues was shocked find two very familiar faces. They were the daughters of Constantinades. Talking to them the Sri Lankan soldier learnt that the civil war had made their father bankrupt. They were given prompt assistance by Kadigawe and his comrades in a generous gesture of gratitude.
Kadigawe earned the Military Medal for an act of gallantry by killing two terrorists and maiming two others in the Greek civil war. Seven months after the end of World War II, on November 24, 1945, Lt. Colonel D.R. Hunter Commander of the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade awarded Kadigawe a certificate for having won the confidence of his superiors and for acts of gallantry a distinguished service. But his proudest moment came when he resigned from the army and joined the Sri Lanka Police as a sub-inspector. At an inspection parade of SIs at the Police Training School the then Inspector-General W.T. Brindley, saluted Kadigawe on seeing the Oak Leaves and Military Medal on his uniform.
By Janaka Perera, Asian Tribune Sat, 2008-09-13. |
Pte. Herbert J Kammeraad . US Army from Holland, Mi. USA) Dad did not talk to much about it.The few times I could get him to talk
this is what I remeber. They were captured and moved to a guarded barn
the US was shelling the Germans he heard 1 shell go long then 1 go short
the 3rd shell hit the barn, he was on an outside wall it blew him out side
the barn. He said he could not see because of the clay forced up under his
eye lids. Not many men survived the blast. He was moved to pow camp stalag 7a from what I can obtain. He said they were forced to repair train tracks
that the allies bombed. He told about being chain bombed "he said they chain bombs together so the bombs would lay out in a line to desroy more track " Dad said the Germans would run for shelters and leave them their.
He talked about pick axeing the gages in a train engine when the germans were gone.Dad said they made them carry a bucket of grease and a stick to grease train cupplers.He talked about adding a hand full of dirt then covering it with grease.He said towards the end they starved,they fed them
hedge leaf soup and bread made from saw dust.I remember him saying they would trade uniforms with us officers so they could go on work detail. Sometimes the locals would slip the bread and food and this would allow the officers a chance to get more to eat.I think i was 25 years old before
my dad ever talked about it at all and I was born in 1955. I know it affected him deeply. He was looking for a book called Feet Of Clay, I think
it was writen by someone he was captured with. |
Barbara Kane . Timber Corps |
Signalman. Henry Kane . Royal Navy HMS Prunella (d.21st Jun 1940) |
Sgt. William Kastens . Royal Canadian Air Force w/op 419 Sqd. (d.4th Oct 1944) |
Renee Katz . Land Army from London, East End) My mother was born and brought up in the East End of London, one of a family of five sisters, one brother and a father. Her mother, my maternal grandmother, had died when they were small children. They lived lives of poverty and deprivation, many children had rickets and every large family had one or two baby siblings in the cemetery.
The sons and daughters of working class families of their generation usually stayed near their parental home and continued to live for most of their lives close to where they were born. That is until the war disrupted the pattern of life for these communities.
My mother and her two sisters (the three youngest of the family) were called up. One opted for munitions factory work, but my mother and her youngest sister chose to join the Land Army.
This was a marvellous opportunity for young women who had little opportunity to travel, especially town girls who had no experience of country life. My mother had been a dressmaker; she now found herself living in rural Cambridgeshire, working as a farmer, picking fruit and vegetables. The farms in this part of the world were small-holdings - market gardens mainly.
When she speaks of her time on the land my mum's eyes light up. She loved the work, loved the fresh air and the friendship. Twenty or so girls lived in a village called Willingham in a supervised hostel. They were allocated to local farms and, by and large, cycled to work. Not every girl was happy, but my mother speaks with affection about the farming family who owned, or more likely leased, the farm on which she worked.
She remembers picking tomatoes in greenhouses with rain pounding on the glass roof. She was a town girl who made an effortless transition to country life, susceptible to the beauties of nature and the seasons. What a change for a dressmaker who had spent her working life in slum sweatshops!
There was a good social life as well. My mum was in her mid-twenties and still single and my aunt a little younger. They would cycle into Cambridge on their days off to go dancing at Dorothy's in the centre of Cambridge. (This is now a multiplex cinema). American and British troops stationed nearby outnumbered the girls, so there was no lack of attention. My mum and my aunt first tasted peanut butter and bananas at a dance on the American Service base.
The success of the Yanks did not make them popular with the British boys, who couldn't offer such luxuries. Some of the girls went on to new lives in the USA with American husbands. Imagine the shock and excitement of arriving in America after spending life in, say, domestic service in rural England, or doing factory work in urban slums.
Cycling was the best way to travel. Although there was a curfew for the girls at the hostel, I have gained the impression that they had considerable freedom, or at least managed to escape the overseeing eye of the hostel warden. But it seems that, despite the ample opportunities for fraternising with men, most of the girls abided by the social rules of the day and cycled back to the hostel after an evening out, obedient to the curfew.
Those who went into Cambridge by bus often lodged with families in town if they missed the last bus back to the village. In a war society, being invited to sleep overnight with strangers was the way things happened. The hospitality was provided out of sheer generosity of spirit, and accepted by the girls in innocence. My mum never spoke of unplanned pregnancies, though I imagine they occurred. The war spirit affected everyone. Lifts were given to any soldier and, of course, to Land Girls. Trucks carrying troops would readily stop for the girls, their bicycles hoisted on board, and friendships struck. Romance readily followed.
A prisoner of war camp was sited a few miles out of Cambridge. The Italian troops held there were sent to work on the farms and learned a little English. Their lukewarm commitment to fighting is what my mother remembers most clearly. They had surrendered readily and were biding their time in relatively benign captivity. It is perhaps a tribute to the civilised nature of British society then, that they made no complaints about their treatment. Although my mum can't personally recall any liaisons between Italian prisoners and English girls, they must have happened.
My mother married before the end of the war. Her photograph shows her dressed in a rather splendid smart, short, tailored dress, a lovely violet colour she tells me. The tailored, slightly masculine style, perhaps reflecting the war's demand that women do men's work, was rather flattering. Of course, my mum made the dress herself with whatever materials she could lay her hands on. She left the Land Army before the war ended, when she fell pregnant with my older sister.
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George Arthur Kay . British Army 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment from Salford) I am trying to trace the service history of my late father, George Kay, for our family history. I know he enlisted in 1939 and my elder sister says he was in the "Loyals" as a Bren Gun carrier. We both have a photograph of him in uniform with the badge on the right sleeve showing "Royal Norfolk". We know he served in Germany and that is about all as he never talked about the war. As for his service number and rank I don't know.
We are just looking for some advice as to how to trace his records. |
Private John Kay . Army from Errol, Perthshire, Scotland) Iam trying to find some details of my fathers war years. He enlisted at the start of the war aged 20. I know he was in B.E.F. and escaped back to Britain south of Dunkirk near St. Valery. I believe he went AWOL once or twice afterwards. He was in Gibralter for a while, maybe before the invasion of Italy 1943 and was captured around Sorrento during the invasion. He was marched up through Italy and on to a POW camp in Poland until the end of the war. |
William Kay DCM. British Army Kings Dragoon Guards, C Sqd. Royal Armoured Corps I served in the Kings Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps, in the middle east 1938 - 47. I was awarded the DCM in Italy. I am currently 86 years old and living in Hull, East Yorkshire and I would love to hear from anyone serving in C squadron, KDG's during that period. |
Derek Kaye . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
B. Kearney . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Sqd. |
Doreen Kearney . Womens Land Army from Blyth, Northumberland) My mum Doreen Kearney, enlisted in the Land Army in 1942-1945, she's now 83 and still getting about ok. I love listening to the stories she used to tell me about the work and the social life at the weekends, my mum used to love to dance!.
I am trying to trace a friend of my mothers, her name was Doreen Kerr and she lived in Carlisle, my mum used to stay over weekends at Doreens mums house and always was made welcome. If there is anyone reading this thread and knows Doreen please let me know as my mother would love to contact her again.
My mum and others have been invited on the 4th of December to have tea at Northumberland hall by Sir John Riddell as part of service recognition during the war. Thank you and best regards to you all who served our country so well during the war.
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Donkeyman J. Kearns . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar J Kearns was one of those to survive the sinking of HMS Forfar. |
Greaser John Kearns . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Liverpool) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Sgt. John Alfred keates . Royal Air Force 149 Squadron from Rugby) (d.9th May 1941) I would like to ascertain the mission which cost John Keates his life. |
Sergeant John Alfred Keates . RAF Squadron 149 (d.9th May 1941) Here are some postcards of Squadron 149 with all the autographs on the back.
My great uncle was John Alfred Keates (Sergeant) 940033 Wireless Operator / Gunner who died 9th May 1941 aged 20. In the formal group photograph he is front and centre.
His friend is Joe Ball, who he grew up with and also served in Squadron 149.
Do you have any more information or photographs that may be of interest?
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James Joseph Keating . U S Navy USS Boise from Chicago, USA) (d.12th Oct 1942) James Keating was my Uncle. He was killed in action, during the battle of Cape Esperance on 12 Oct 1942. He joined the Navy in early 1942 shipped out of San Diego never to return. Two of his 4 brothers followed him into the Navy later that same year, Walter and Ed both survived the war. |
Able Seaman John Thomas Keating . Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar (d.2nd Dec 1940) Keating is listed in the chorus of the revue
"Get Sailing" which was performed onboard the Forfar on the 19th of June 1940. |
John F Keating . US Army 635 Field Artillery Battalion Battery B I am trying to trace Corporal John F Keating who served with Battery B, 635 Field Artillery Battalion, US Army. The address where we used to write to him was Battery B 635FABNAPO17663 C/O US Army. |
Lt. Amy Evalyn Keats . Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service Hospital Ship Karoa from Oakley, Hampshire, England) My mother joined the QA's [Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, now known as the QARANC ] and arrived in India 21st March 1944.
After a time serving in on-shore hospitals she joined the Hospital Ship "Karoa" and participated in the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the Burma Campaigns. The "Karoa" would sail between Madras, Chittagong and Calcutta collecting the wounded out of Chittagong. She remembers spotting 2 periscopes of submarines in the Bay of Bengal but they never fired on the "Karoa" so perhaps it was the Allies or the enemy respecting the Geneva convention.
She made good friends of two other Sisters on board the "Karoa"and each had charge of a level of the Ship. There were four levels: Officers on top deck; British Other Ranks on the next level down; Indian soldiers on the next level; West Africans on the next level and East Africans on the lowest level. My mother was Sister-in-charge of the Officers' Ward; her friend Jane, Sister-in-charge of the Indian Ward and Joyce, Sister-in-charge of the West African ward.
They each remember the visit of Lord Louis Mountbatten and would pass the message on to each other to be ready as he descended to inspect the Wards!
These three Sisters kept up a friendship all their lives. My mother married a British Officer at the end of the War and went to Australia. Joyce returned to Suffolk, England and Jane married and went to live in Canada. The three corresponded over all the years.
Eventually Joyce came out to Australia to visit her son who was married and based in Sydney. She was intending to visit her WW2 friend Amy in Melbourne but unfortunately my mother died only a few days before they ever re-connected.
Joyce met my father and asked if she could have something of my mother's, an ashtray in the form of a brass shoe. The story went that she and my mother had bought one each in a bazaar in India and had pledged to meet on the steps of St Paul's cathedral after the War with their brass shoes! Chance had dictated otherwise and so the story closes here.
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Signalman. Walter Keeling . British Army Royal Corps of Signals from Alton, Staffordshire) (d.Between 24th April & 2nd June 1940) Walter Keeling was my husband's uncle. He died in France between 24-5-1940 and 2-6-1940 and is buried at Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, St Omer.
He was just 21 years old and had only been married for one week before being killed on returning to his regiment.
We do not know if he died on the battlefield or in hospital? If anyone has any information regarding Walter Keeling, formerly from the village of Alton in Staffordshire we would like to hear from you.
His wife was called Zilla and we have no knowledge of her whereabouts following Walter's death. We intend to visit his grave, has anyone visited Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, St Omer France? |
Sgt. Augustus Keen . British Army Black Watch from Woodside Road, St Annes, Bristol) My Father, Gus Keen, was a pre-war Territorial and became full time in 1938. Initially in the Artillery he was seconded north to a Training Camp on the racecourse at Troon, attached to the Black Watch. Because he was an experienced driver, rare in the 1930's, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a small arms and drill instructor.
My mother never let him forget how she could hear him shouting at new recruits across the barrack square (she always said it was a mile, but I doubt it) and how on one occasion she wheeled my brother, in his pram, right up to him on the parade ground to tell him not to shout so much!
He was promoted Sergeant Major and transferred to Northern Ireland with an Ack Ack unit where he became a Spotter. His job was to go up in a Lysander aircraft, fly over Liverpool,Cardiff or Bristol- wherever the raid was coming in- and tell the gunners on the ground what height the bombers were at to set their fuses to the reuired height. On one occasion the plane ran out of fuel and they landed in a field near RAF Locking, Weston-super-Mare, and had to walk to the air station to request fuel. The Duty Officer asked my father if he wanted to go back with the 19 year old pilot or make other arrangements. He went back to N Ireland by train and ferry! He never liked flying after that and after the war never went in an aeroplane again.
Although never wounded, he played football for his regiment and had to have his cartliage removed, for which he received a war pension until his death in 1999. As a small boy in the 1950's I can remember his silver topped cane which he used when he became an Acting RSM with the Black Watch towards the end of the war. This site certainly prompts some good old memories. |
Sqn Ldr. Geoffrey Frank "Chuffo" Keen CGM, DFM.. Royal Air Force 51 Sqn. from Chesham, Bucks.) Geoffrey Frank Keen was born in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, on 26th March 1916, the youngest of five children, with a brother Jack and three sisters Doris, Gwen and Mary, born to Minnie and Percy Keen. He was never to meet his father, he was killed in action near Messines Ridge in Flanders on 4th June 1917.
At Dr. Challoners Grammar School, Amersham, he was an enthusiastic sportsman and represented the school at both cricket and football. On leaving school he served an apprenticeship in printing, working for the company which produced the local newspaper.
His enthusiasm for sport continued after he left school and became an important part of his life. He and his brother Jack both played for the Town Club, Chesham United, and Geoffrey had trials for both Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers.
On the outbreak of war the two brothers decided to join the RAF and in October 1940 Geoffrey was posted to Yatesbury for basic training then on to Penrhos for Bombing and Gunnery School and finally to Abingdon OTU for wireless training before the finished article was posted to his first operational base as wireless operator/air gunner Sergeant Keen at Dishforth and 51 Squadron, equipped with Whitleys. His log book entries include:
1941, Kiel-could not reach target,- bombed Boulogne Docks instead, Bremen, Mannheim, Hanover, Kiel-'pranged' on drome, Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg. Wihelmshaven, Brest, Dunkirk, Emden, Frankfurt-baled out East Dereham, Berlin, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, 1942, Cologne(1000 bombers), Essen(1000 bombers), Dusseldorf.
He completed his first tour (30 ops) in November 1941 and was posted to Abingdon No.10 OTU in December. In January 1942 he was cited in the London Gazette as follows:
Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.) London Gazette 30.1.42. Sergeant, No. 51 Squadron, the recommendation states:
'During the many sorties in which this wireless operator has participated, some of which have been at extreme range, he has displayed high qualities of courage and determination. His technical skill is of a high order and on one occasion, after a raid on Stuttgart, his steadiness in obtaining wireless aid was solely responsible for the return of his aircraft after bearings had been completely lost.'
Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Keen became a founder member of 427 Squadron as the wireless operator to Wing Commander Dudley Burnside when he became the squadrons C/O and it was on only their seventh operation together that the crews abilities were tested to the limit and for which four of them were decorated, including Geoffrey as cited below:
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (C.G.M.) London Gazette 23. 4. 43 Flight Sergeant D.F.M., No.427 (Lion) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force.
On the night of 12th March 1943, this airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire. The navigator was killed instantaneously. Flight Sergeant Keen, who was in the astro-dome, had his right foot blown off and received cuts to both legs. Disregarding his wounds, Flight Sergeant Keen regained his seat in the wireless cabin. For over two hours he laboured to repair the damaged apparatus. He could not speak to other members of the crew owing to damage to the inter-communication apparatus. Another airman spoke to him, however, on at least a dozen occasions and found him still conscious and working at his self-imposed task of directing the manipulation of various installations. He also offered assistance in navigating the aircraft and actually managed to drag himself on two occasions to the navigator's compartment to obtain essential information necessary for the aircraft's safe return. His courage and fortitude in such circumstances were of the highest order
The recommendation states: 'I consider this N.C.O.'s superb display of courage and devotion to duty whilst seriously wounded fully merits the award of the Victoria Cross' (Wing Commander D. H. Burnside, Commanding Officer, RCAF Station, Middleton St. George).
'This case is considered to be an outstanding example of coolness and tenacity of purpose on the part of this N.C.O. when seriously wounded, and demanding courage of the highest order-an award of the Victoria Cross is recommended (Air Officer Commanding 6 Group, Air Vice Marshall G.E. Brookes CB OBE )
`As was only fitting, the very fine display of courage and determination shown by all members of the crew was subsequently recognised by awards. Burnside received a Bar to his DFC, Hayhurst and Ross the DFC, and Keen, who already had the DFM, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.' (RCAF Overseas 1944)
As a result of his wounds part of his right foot was amputated but after a period of three months convalescence he returned to the squadron where he remained for the duration of the war, finishing as Squadron Leader responsible for training of Group 6 wireless operators.
Upon returning to civilian life he trained as a teacher before marrying Jose Barnes, the girl he met after a visit to the cinema in Oxford while training at Abingdon. In 1948 they moved to his home town Chesham, where he was to become Assistant Head and eventually Headmaster of the local village school of St Leonards in Buckinghamshire.
Always a keen sportsman and in spite of the lack of half a foot he continued to play football and cricket not only at club level for Chesham United FC and Chesham CC but also at county level winning several winners medals in the process. When his playing days were over he took up umpiring, golf and bowls. Heaven knows how he found the time to look after the garden. |
Flight Sergeant J L Keighan . RCAF 428 Squadron Halifax LK928
Squadron 428
Operation Frankfurt
Date 1 20th December 1943
Date 2 21st December 1943
LK928 was one of two No.428 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation (the other was EB252). Airborne 1614 20Dec43 from Middleton St.George. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Glees some 7 km NNW of Mendig. Burials are reported from Glees 27Dec43; their graves are now located in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
The brother of Sgt Jessiman, William Herkis Jessiman, was also KIA. F/S Tycoles survived the crash as his death is reported to have taken place at Reserve Lager Maria Loast 24Dec43.
F/S J.L.Keighan RCAF PoW
Sgt George Herkis Jessiman RCAF R/68645 KIA age 22
F/O Keith Maxwell Mosher RCAF J/21553 KIA
F/S Elmer Lawrance Tycoles RCAF R/128073 Inj
Sgt John Patrick Slater RAF 1516173 KIA age 29
Sgt George Kensall RAF 1052337 KIA age 22
Sgt Thomas Stanley Roy Dagnall RAF 1600759 KIA
F/S J.L.Keighan was interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1463. |
Flight Sergeant J L Keighan . RCAF 428 Squadron Halifax LK928
Squadron 428
Operation Frankfurt
Date 1 20th December 1943
Date 2 21st December 1943
LK928 was one of two No.428 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation (the other was EB252). Airborne 1614 20Dec43 from Middleton St.George. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Glees some 7 km NNW of Mendig. Burials are reported from Glees 27Dec43; their graves are now located in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
The brother of Sgt Jessiman, William Herkis Jessiman, was also KIA. F/S Tycoles survived the crash as his death is reported to have taken place at Reserve Lager Maria Loast 24Dec43.
F/S J.L.Keighan RCAF PoW, interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1463
Sgt George Herkis Jessiman RCAF R/68645 KIA age 22
F/O Keith Maxwell Mosher RCAF J/21553 KIA
F/S Elmer Lawrance Tycoles RCAF R/128073 Inj
Sgt John Patrick Slater RAF 1516173 KIA age 29
Sgt George Kensall RAF 1052337 KIA age 22
Sgt Thomas Stanley Roy Dagnall RAF 1600759 KIA
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Musician Peter Keld . Royal Marines HMS Nigeria from Swinton) (d.26th Oct 1914) My granddad, Peter Keld, served as a Royal Marine Musician on the Nigeria, joining her during her refit in Charleston and only leaving after the war for service with various aircraft carriers (including the Eagle, Ocean and Implacable), before leaving the Navy in 1954.
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Edward Kelly . My Dad served on HMS Scylla during World War Two. His name was Edward Kelly, and he was on board for the June 1944 D Day landings, Operation Neptune. He was a driver for the Commanding Officer, Admiral Vian. Dad passed away in 1977 when I was only 13, and although he talked to me about his time during the war, I don't remember a great deal. I would love to hear from anyone who may remember him.
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1st Lieutenant Jack A. Kelly . USAAF 306th Bomber Group 369th Bomber Squadron (d.14th Oct. 1943) My uncle, Jack A. Kelly, my dads' brother and my namesake, was a bombardier and 1st Lieutenant for a B17 crew. His plane went missing on 14th October 1943 on a mission over Germany and the crew were eventually declared dead. His memorial is at the Tablets of the Missing at Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
I never knew my uncle, but now that I am getting older I would like to do more to honor his memory.
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