Trevor Keelor

Trevor Keelor, VrC
Born	1934 Lucknow, British India
Died	2002
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Air Force
Years of service	1954-1978
Rank	Wing Commander
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Awards	Vir Chakra, Vayu Sena Medal

Trevor Keelor, VrC, (8 December 1934 – 27 April 2002) was a hero of the Indo-Pakistani war. He was honoured with a number of medals including the Vir Chakra and the Vayu Sena Medal.^[1][2] He had an elder brother, Denzil, who was also honoured for his service in the Indian Air Force. Both brothers have a Vir Chakra for the same feat of shooting down Sabre jets. This is the first time two brothers have received Vir Chakras for the same reason.^[1]

Biography

Trevor Keelor was born on 8 December 1934 in Lucknow, India, and was educated at St. Francis' College and La Martiniere Lucknow in Lucknow. Most of his schooling happened in St. Francis', where his father was the Head Master. He joined the Indian Air Force in 1953 and rose to the rank of Wing Commander. He retired in 1978. Trevor died on 27 April 2002.^[1]

Awards

Keelor was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1964. The citation reads as follows:

On the 5th February 1964, Flt Lt Keelor was detailed to ferry a Gnat from Poona to Palam in a formation of five aircraft. The last part of the flight had to be undertaken at a height of 41,000 feet. While descending to land at Palam, he discovered, at a height of 15,000 feet that there was no response from the engine to the throttle movements. After informing the leader, Flt Lt Kellor immediately broke off the formation and attempted a landing at Palam, knowing fully well that previous attempts to force land a Gnat had resulted in fatal or serious injury to the pilot. With great presence of mind and careful handling, he accomplished the forced landing successfully without any damage to the aircraft. Flt Lt Trevor Kellor displayed courage, presence of mind and a high standard of professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.^[2]

The following year in 1965 Keelor was awarded the Vir Chakra. The citation reads as follows:

On 3rd September 1965, on receipt of a report that a formation of Pakistani fighters were circling over our Army position in the Chhamb Sector of J&K, a formation of Gnat aircraft was ordered to intercept the intruders. Approaching the area, Sq Ldr Trevor Keelor, who was a section leader in the Gnat formation, sighted enemy F-86 Sabre jets and engaged them in air battle. When the combat was in progress, F-104 Starfighters of the Pakistani Air Force also joined in. Unmindful of the numerical superiority of the enemy, Sq Ldr Keelor chased a Sabre jet and pressed home his attack until the enemy aircraft caught fire and disintegrated in the air. This was the first victory of our Air Force in the air battles against the Pakistani Air Force. In this operation, Sqn Ldr Keelor displayed courage and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Air Force.^[2]

References