Name
Roderick Leopold Keller (MC)
12 September 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/08/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Royal Air Force
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Cross, Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SHENLEY (ST. BOTOLPH) CHURCHYARD
In S.W. corner.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
St Paul's Church Memorial, Hadley Wood, St Botolph's Church Memorial, Shenleybury (now lost) (*1), Woking War Memorial, Surrey, St Johns Church Cross, Surrey, Rugby School Chapel Memorial, Warwickshire
Pre War
Roderick Leopold Keller was born on 12 September 1892 in Walton on Thames, Surrey, the son of Leopold and Evelyn Keller and one of six children. He was baptised on 11 October 1912. His father's occupation was given as merchant.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Rathcoole, Station Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames with four servants. His father's occupation was given as a merchant of precious stones. He was educated at Rugby School, Warwickshire between 1906 - 1910 and the family had moved to Rathcoole, Hook Heath, Woking, Surrey by 1911.
On his RAF Officer service record in April 1918 he gave his permanent address as New Mount, Windsor Terrace, Hampstead NW3.
Wartime Service
He joined the Warwickshire Regiment on 15 August 1914 as Second Lieutenant and was posted to France with the Regiment In May 1915. In July 1915 he was wounded and evacuated to the UK, returning to France on 24 November 1915 and a few days later, on 30 November 1915, he was was mentioned in despatches (no details found).
In January 1916 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a Second Lieutenant and was promoted to Lieutenant, Flying Officer on 1 June 1916. He remained in France and was promoted to Temporary Captain, Flight Commander on 28 April 1917.
On 17 September 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross, the citation reads; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking hostile aircraft, destroying one and driving down others out of control. His dash and offensive spirit on all occasions have been splendid."
The Royal Flying Corps became the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 and on 17 July 1918 he was posted to 18 Wing, 41 Training Depot Station, London Colney. He died on 15 August 1918 in a flying accident at London Colney aerodrome whilst testing a Sopwith Snipe (E7998) when he failed to recover from a spin. He was an experienced pilot having had flown at least 10 different types of aircraft since joining the RFC.
Roderick is buried in Shenley (St Botolph) churchyard, Shenleybury, Herts, UK.
Additional Information
*1 Believed named on the lost memorial.
His father obtained probate on 29 January 1919 with effects of £1027 16s. No record of his military effects has been found. He is also mentioned Woking War Memorial, St Johns Church Cross, Surrey.and Rugby School Chapel, Warwickshire
Acknowledgments
Taff Williams, Brenda Palmer
www.rcawsey.co.uk, www.stpaulshadleywood.org
