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When the war began, Andrew Edward McKeever joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and quickly proved to be an expert marksman in the trenches of France. Towards the end of 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was assigned to 11 Squadron in May 1917. At that time, the squadron was replacing its outdated B.E.2s. Scoring all of his victories with the Bristol Fighter, McKeever was the highest scoring ace to fly this aircraft during World War I. He was also the highest scoring ace to serve with 11 Squadron. His last aerial combat of the war occurred just before noon on 30 November 1917. On that day, he and his observer, L. A. Powell, engaged two enemy two-seaters protected by a flight of seven Albatros D.Vs. During the battle that followed, McKeever and Powell shot down four of the scouts. After the war, McKeever returned to Canada, then took a job in 1919 as the manager of an airfield in the United States. He died in hospital following an operation for injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Stratford, Ontario on 3 September 1919. He was 25 years of age. |
Western Daily Press, Bristol, England, Monday, 4 April 1932, page 7
The Denver Post, Denver, Colorado, Sunday Morning, 3 February 1918, page 1
Western Daily Press, Bristol, England, Wednesday, 31 December 1919, page 5
Source Unknown
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| Military Cross (MC) |
2nd Lt Andrew Edward McKeever, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, particularly when on offensive patrol. He attacked eight enemy aircraft single-handed at close range, and by his splendid dash and determination destroyed one and drove five down completely out of control. He had previously shown exceptional fearlessness in attacking the enemy when in superior numbers, and in the space of three weeks he destroyed eight hostile machines, setting a very fine example to his squadron.
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| Military Cross (MC) Bar |
Lt. Andrew Edward McKeever, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. He has recently destroyed five enemy aeroplanes and driven down six out of control. On one occasion he encountered five enemy scouts, and drove down two out of control. Later, while leading a patrol, he engaged nine enemy scouts. He destroyed two, drove down one out of control, and dispersed the remainder. His dash and determination have been a fine example to his squadron.
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| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) |
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Andrew Edward McKeever, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol by himself over the enemy's lines in very bad weather he encountered two enemy two-seater machines and seven scouts. By skilful maneuvering he engaged one and destroyed it. As he turned to get back to the lines five of the enemy dived on his tail and his observer engaged and destroyed two of them. After an indecisive combat with two others he attacked and destroyed one of the enemy which had overshot him. He continued the fight with the remainder until he was within twenty feet of the ground, when the enemy machines climbed and left him. He has recently destroyed ten enemy machines and has shown great courage and initiative.
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| Victories |
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Date |
Time |
Unit |
Aircraft |
Opponent |
Location |
| 1 |
26 Jun 1917 |
1845 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7144) 1 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Etaing-Dury |
| 2 |
26 Jun 1917 |
1845 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7144) 1 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
E of Cambrai |
| 3 |
07 Jul 1917 |
2030 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7144) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
S of Vitry |
| 4 |
07 Jul 1917 |
2031 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7144) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Vitry |
| 5 |
07 Jul 1917 |
2040 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7144) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
S of Monchy |
| 6 |
10 Jul 1917 |
2030 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7140) 3 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Sailly |
| 7 |
13 Jul 1917 |
2010 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7140) 3 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Haynecourt |
| 8 |
13 Jul 1917 |
2010 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7140) 3 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Haynecourt |
| 9 |
05 Aug 1917 |
1950 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Queant |
| 10 |
05 Aug 1917 |
1950 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
Queant |
| 11 |
05 Aug 1917 |
1950 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Queant |
| 12 |
22 Aug 1917 |
1845 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 4 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Auby-Douai |
| 13 |
23 Sep 1917 |
1625 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Vitry |
| 14 |
23 Sep 1917 |
1625 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Vitry |
| 15 |
25 Sep 1917 |
1110 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 3 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Le Catelet |
| 16 |
28 Sep 1917 |
1805 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 5 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
Bugnicourt |
| 17 |
28 Sep 1917 |
1805 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 5 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Bugnicourt |
| 18 |
28 Sep 1917 |
1805 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 5 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
Bugnicourt |
| 19 |
01 Oct 1917 |
1150 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7167) 6 |
C (DES) |
Brebieres |
| 20 |
02 Oct 1917 |
1800-1820 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7121) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
Douai-Cambrai |
| 21 |
16 Oct 1917 |
1020 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES)(OOC) |
Brebieres |
| 22 |
16 Oct 1917 |
1025 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7159) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Douai |
| 23 |
20 Oct 1917 |
1640 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7153) 6 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
NW of Cambrai |
| 24 |
31 Oct 1917 |
1600 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7153) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Fresse |
| 25 |
31 Oct 1917 |
1600 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7153) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Fresse |
| 26 |
31 Oct 1917 |
1600 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7153) 2 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Fresse |
| 27 |
11 Nov 1917 |
1130 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7288) 7 |
DFW C (DES) |
Brebieres |
| 28 |
30 Nov 1917 |
1150 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7288) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DESF) |
S of Cambrai |
| 29 |
30 Nov 1917 |
1150 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7288) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
S of Cambrai |
| 30 |
30 Nov 1917 |
1155 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7288) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
S of Cambrai |
| 31 |
30 Nov 1917 |
1155 |
11 |
Bristol F.2b (A7288) 2 |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
S of Cambrai |
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| 1 |
Observer 2Lt E Oake |
| 2 |
Observer Lt Leslie Powell |
| 3 |
Observer 2Lt E V De G Dodd |
| 4 |
Observer 2Lt L F Ebbutt |
| 5 |
Observer AM Hewitt |
| 6 |
Observer Lt H G Kent |
| 7 |
Observer Lt L V Pogson |
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