The son of Arthur Thomas and Isabel Charlotte Eliza (Willan) Keen, 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Willan Keen received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2298 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Catterick Bridge on 17 January 1916. Later that year, he scored his first victory flying the Sopwith 1½ Strutter with 70 Squadron. Posted to 40 Squadron in 1917, he claimed thirteen more victories flying Nieuport scouts and the S.E.5a. Keen was severely burned in a flying accident on 15 August 1918 and died on 12 September 1918.
Listed as Arthur William Keen in some secondary sources.
Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950
Military Cross (MC)
T./Capt. Arthur Willan Keen, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown the greatest gallantry and skill in aerial fighting, and his daring in leading offensive patrols into favourable positions for attack has been the means of many hostile aircraft being destroyed and driven down.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1917 (30234/8373)
Victories
Date
Time
Unit
Aircraft
Opponent
Location
1
28 Aug 1916
1800
70
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A3432) 1
Fokker D.II (OOC)
Bapaume
2
01 May 1917
1245
40
Nieuport (B1633)
Albatros D.III (DES)2
E of Douai
3
12 May 1917
1840
40
Nieuport (B1633)
Albatros C (OOC)
Oignies
4
15 Jun 1917
2015
40
Nieuport (A6771)
Albatros D.III (DESF)
Vitry
5
25 Jun 1917
1855
40
Nieuport (B1686)
Albatros D.III (OOC)
NE of Douai
6
02 Jul 1917
1155
40
Nieuport (B1686)
Albatros D.V (OOC)
SE of Lens
7
09 Aug 1917
1000
40
Nieuport (B3465)
DFW C (OOC)
Beaumont
8
09 Aug 1917
1950
40
Nieuport (B3465)
Albatros D.V (OOC)
Oppy
9
12 Aug 1917
1030
40
Nieuport (B3465)
DFW C (DES)
N of Douai
10
12 Aug 1917
1945
40
Nieuport (B3465)
Albatros D.V (DES)
Lens
11
15 Aug 1917
0930
40
Nieuport (B3465)
Albatros D.V (DESF)
4 mi NE of Lens
12
15 Aug 1917
0930
40
Nieuport (B3465)
Albatros D.V (OOC)
NE of Lens
13
30 Jun 1918
1240
40
S.E.5a (D6122)
Fokker DR.I (DESF)
Beauchamps
14
09 Aug 1918
1650
40
S.E.5a (D6122)
Albatros D.V (DESF)
Brie
1
Observer Capt F G Glenday
2
Shared with Capt D C Rutter & AM1 A W Cant (A8221)
