The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., 2nd type, Military Division; British War (4374 Pte. P.S.Keen. 51-Lond.R.); Victory Medal (4374 Pte. P.S.Keen. 15-Lond.R.); 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star with 1st Army Bar; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal. Mounted as worn. Very fine or better. (8)

Footnotes

M.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1944.

Philip Sydney Keen born 20 May 1896 Forest Hill, London, educated at St Olaves School, by 1911 he was living in Lewisham, London. Enlisted 16 August 1915 2nd Battalion 15th London Regiment. He served in Ireland May 1916 for security duties following the Irish Rebellion. To France 22 June 1916, wounded in action 12 August 1916, gunshot wound to the left knee, He served in France until 20 June 1917 then he served in Salonika unto 23 November 1917 with new number 531823. He had undertook anti-gas and Lewis Gun courses. As a Corporal he entered the 20th Officer Cadet Battalion early 1918. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 10 September 1918 into the 3rdd Battalion, 13th London Regiment, then 1st Battalion, 2nd London Regiment and finally 2nd Battalion, 16th London Regiment as a Lieutenant. Relinquished his commission 16 October 1919. His address shown as 87 Major Road, Sydenham, London, SE26. 24 June 1940 recalled for WW2 as a 2nd Lieutenant (136563) with the 10th H.D. Devonshire Regiment, then transferred to 7th H.D. Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry 14 October 1940 (this was later called the 30th Battalion D.C.L.I.). Captain 8 April 1942. Soon after Adjutant. 8 December overseas as a Captain 8 December 1942 with Headquarters, 1st Army, no Devonshire Regiment units were there making his M.B.E. very scarce if not unique to the regiment. Acting Major 28 October 1943, Acting Lieutenant Colonel 15 June 1945, back to U.K. 19 January 1947. He was also a Camp Commandant during the War. He was living in Wimbledon after the War. He died June 1972 in Wandsworth, London.

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A Scarce M.B.E. group of eight to Lieutenant Colonel P.S.Keen, Devonshire Regiment, late London Regiment,

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