Trevor Keelor
Encyclopedia
Trevor Keelor, VrC, 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
. 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.
, India, and was educated at St. George's College, Mussoorie
, and St. Francis' College, Lucknow
in Lucknow. 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.
in 1964. The citation reads as follows:
The following year in 1965 Keelor was awarded the Vir Chakra
. The citation reads as follows:
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
and the Vayu Sena Medal
Vayusena Medal
The Vayusena Medal is an Indian military decoration, usually awarded in peacetime for a job well done. However it has been granted during times of conflict for acts of gallantry in the face of enemy, though not in the same numbers as the Vir Chakra....
. He had an elder brother, Denzil
Denzil Keelor
Denzil Keelor VrC was a hero of the Indo-Pakistani war. He was honoured with a number of medals including the Veer Chakra, the Param Vishist Sewa Medal, the Keerti Chakra and the Ati Vishist Sewa Medal. He has a younger brother, Trevor, who was also honoured for his service in the Indian Air Force...
, who was also honoured for his service in the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
. Both brothers have a Vir Chakra for the same feat of shooting down Sabre jets
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
. This is the first time two brothers have received Vir Chakras for the same reason.
Biography
Trevor Keelor was born on 8 December 1934 in LucknowLucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
, India, and was educated at St. George's College, Mussoorie
St. George's College, Mussoorie
St. George's College , is a premier boarding school in Mussoorie, in the state of Uttarakhand, India, affiliated to the ICSE council. The school, an all-boys residential and non-residential institution, spreading over of land, was founded in 1853 by the Capuchin Fathers and entrusted to the...
, and St. Francis' College, Lucknow
St. Francis' College, Lucknow
St. Francis' College is a Senior Secondary boys-only private school in Lucknow, India, established and administered by The Catholic Diocease of Lucknow, a charitable religious society. The college was founded in 1885 as St. Francis' School and Orphanage, with the object of imparting education in a...
in Lucknow. 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.
Awards
Keelor was awarded the Vayu Sena MedalVayusena Medal
The Vayusena Medal is an Indian military decoration, usually awarded in peacetime for a job well done. However it has been granted during times of conflict for acts of gallantry in the face of enemy, though not in the same numbers as the Vir Chakra....
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.
The following year in 1965 Keelor was awarded the Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
. 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.