- Contributed byÌý
- Age Concern Tunbridge Wells
- People in story:Ìý
- Kathleen Keel, written by Elizabeth Hudson (student at UEA)
- Location of story:Ìý
- Tunbridge Wells, Kent
- Background to story:Ìý
- Civilian
- Article ID:Ìý
- A4690596
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 03 August 2005
Mrs Keel lived in Southborough during the war, she was in her twenties throughout the war. She was in service until the war started. After war broke out she worked in munitions at Lawsons in Tunbridge Wells, then went on to Woolwich Arsenal, making bullets. She then worked on the buses for six years, as a conductor.
Her husband won a distinguished services award for his part in the North Africa Campaign, which he was in for more than two years. He was educated at Skinners Grammar School in Tunbridge Wells, after which he joined the army.
She had three brothers (one of which was her twin) who all fought in the war, after being called up. Her sister was a cadet; she became a Warrant Officer and was awarded a medal.
At the end of the war she remembers how ‘everyone went mad.’ She went to a street party at the Pump House on the Pantiles. She continued to work on the buses after the war. Her twin brother went on to own a shoe shop. Her sister worked in a chemist when she returned home. All of her brothers returned from the war.
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