Name
Walton 'Harry' Keen
29/01/1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/04/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
132307
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
25th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 154 to 159 and 163A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the missing in Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldenham,
St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham,
Letchmore Heath Village Memorial,
Plaque on The Old Bakery, Grange Lane, Letchmore Heath*1,
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of John (a Baker by Trade) and Rachel (nee WARD) KEEN of Letchmore Heath, Herts.
His parents married 18 October 1892 in Radlett, Herts. Rachel died 18 June 1941 in Letchmore Heath aged 80, and was buried 21 June at St John the Baptist, Aldenham, Herts; John died 5 October 1944 in Watford aged 86.
Harry was born 29 January 1899 in Letchmore Heath, and baptised 12 March 1899 at St John the Baptist, Aldenham. He resided in Letchmore Heath.
On the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Letchmore Heath, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 12 he still lived in Letchmore Heath, with his parents and six siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Watford; posted to the 25th Company, Machine Gun Corps. (Infantry), with the service number 132307. Harry was Killed in Action on 17th April 1918. He has no known grave and is Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 154 to 159. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
*1 There is a Plaque on Harry's old house, The Old Bakery, Grange Lane, Letchmore Heath. "HARRY WALTON KEEN LEFT THIS HOUES APRIL 25 1917 TO FIGHT FOR HIS KING AND COUNTRY AND FELL IN ACTION IN FRANCE APRIL 18 1918 AGED 19 YEARS.
Note: The CWGC and SGITGW give the date of death as 17th April 1918.
Additional Information
His mother Rachel Keen received a War Gratuity of £3, and his Pay Owing of £6-8s-11d.
His father John Keen received a Dependants Pension of 5/- a week.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 14 May 1918.
Unfortunately, Harry’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
