Keith the photographer
Keith Granger (Christened George Keith) was posted to Darwin in 1941 with 87 Squadron. He flew the Liberator B24 for the Australian, Dutch and USA airforce as an expert air reconnaissance photographer.
Keith had lived in New Guinea prior to the war, working in the tin mines in remote areas frequented by cannibals and faced many other dangers. This local knowledge made him invaluable for air reconnaissance and he was friends with Rabaul plantation owners who were acting as conduits for the air force. His first son Peter, was named after his great mate Peter Dennis from Rabaul.
Keith, and his corporal, Darby Sharland, flew many missions in the bubble at the rear of the Liberator, becoming rear gunners, (the most dangerous job in the airforce when under attack). Darby Sharland was killed over Babo on 16 March 1943.
Keith was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery and survived the war to return to Melbourne to raise a family of six children, two of whom served in the Army as National Servicemen from 1966 to 1970. His elder son Peter was coincidentally posted to New Guinea in 1967 and Eric was posted to Vietnam in 1969.
Keith took up photography on his return and went on to become Melbourne's leading wedding and social photographer as Granger of Torah.
Submitted 4 December 2016
by Eric Granger
