- Contributed by听
- Adembo
- People in story:听
- Denzil Meyer Keen
- Location of story:听
- Arnhem
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A4541447
- Contributed on:听
- 25 July 2005
Denny Keen
Pte Denzil ( Denny) Meyer Keen was the son of John and Elizabeth of Maida Vale, London. The second of three children, Denny joined 'the Buffs' a month before his 17th birthday and later transfered to the Parachute Regiment. He was killed in action at the battle of Arnhem 3 weeks after his 21st birthday.
Going into woods after having been dropped, Dennys' mission was to destry a German tank. An eye witnessed later reported that he was badly wounded, losing a leg, and brought back to be evacuated. He was laid across the front of the Colonel's jeep but as it pulled away the jeep received a direct hit from an enemy tank and the occupants were all killed.
All the Jewish men had attended a service with the Jewish Chaplain just before the battle and were told that as they had seen active service in North Africa, they were given the option of not going in with the first drop. They all said at once that they would go in with their comrades and when this became common knowledge, the whole batallion were very impressed.
Denny is described as a 'tall fellow ( he was 6' 3"), well built, got on well with everybody, a bloody good mate.'
Denny has no known grave but his sister Helen Barnett has visited the cemetary at Groesbeek to ensure that his name is on the memorial. He is also remembered with a photo at the AJEX museum in London.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.