Arthur Keen

Who was Arthur Keen?

Major Arthur Willan Keen, MC was a World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.

Keen scored his first aerial victory while piloting a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter for 70 Squadron. On 28 August 1916, he drove a Fokker D.II down out of control over Bapaume. He was transferred to 40 Squadron as a Flight Commander in Spring of 1917. On 1 May 1917, he used a Nieuport 17 to destroy an Albatros D.III to score his second win near Douai. He then reeled off a string of ten more victories, which took him to 15 August 1917. His Military Cross was gazetted the following day. Keen was then withdrawn from combat for a rest.

Keen returned to command 40 Squadron in the wake of the 1 June 1918 death of its ace commanding officer, Roderic Dallas. Keen scored two more victories during his command, on 30 June and 9 August 1918. His final tally was: four German fighters set afire; three others destroyed, one of which was shared; seven enemy planes driven down out of control.

Keen was severely burned in a flying accident at around 21:30, 15 August at Bruay, 40 squadron's home airfield at the time. He died of his wounds on 2 September 1918.

He is interred in Plot III. A. 17, Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France.