McKeen, Lewis Stanley

Lewis McKeen was born on May 1, 1890 in Truro, Nova Scotia to parents Issac and Mary McKeen. Not much is known about his childhood or other family members. At some point in time, the McKeen’s moved to Edmonton, Alberta. At time of enlistment, Lewis was working as a mechanic. He also owned a farm in the Edmonton area. On April 28, 1916, Lewis McKeen enlisted with the 61st Battery 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. Gunner McKeen arrived in England on September 22, 1916 aboard the SS Cameronia. He was stationed in England with the unit for a total of ten months prior to his death. On July 26, 1917, Gunner McKeen went for a swim with some of the other members of the battery at Godalming, when one of the men noticed that he had slipped into the deeper water and not surfaced. An alarm was raised, and the men of his unit dove in and searched the water. It took a couple of minutes to locate Gunner McKeen and bring his lifeless body to the surface. Sadly, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. He was laid to rest at Milford Cemetery. Lewis McKeen was awarded the British War Medal. His mother, Mary received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her son