about this website
Sponsored and written by Steve White, this project was launched in 2005, published in memory of George Keen and George Leach who demonstrated extraordinary courage amongst many including the Home Guard, members of the Fire Service and military personnel attending to a burning munitions train one dark late summer night in 1940.
The direct impact on the families of those who lost their lives during the Second World War is arguably not so well documented. The No. 1 online journal on George Keen and the events of 22, 23 August, 1940 in Tongham, Surrey, this website evolved following an appeal from Mrs. Mavis Kerr (nee Keen) who grew up knowing very little of her father. Mavis and Brian, daughter and son of George1, had earlier been placed with Dr. Barnardo's, had only vague memories of their father visiting before his death in 1941.
Following her marriage in 1953, Mavis spent many years in Scotland before returning to Surrey, later learning that she and Brian had a half-sister, Doris Elsie Marsden (nee Keen) 1924-1995, of Mitcham, from George's marriage to Elsie Fuller in 1923. They never met, but Mavis was later introduced to her father's grandson and great granddaughter.
Spending time in Peterborough before again returning to Surrey in 2005, Mrs. Kerr (later Woollven) had more recently retired to Kent, but sadly passed away 3 January, 2019.
SIBLINGS: It's thought also that George had at least four sisters, Florence, Daisy, Louisa, Selina and one brother, Charles.