Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John Huett NELSON, 23 Jubilee Street, West Kempsey, New South Wales.

Keith was born in Kempsey, NSW, and is a veteran of the Second World War.

Before his war service, Keith worked as a shop assistant. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in July 1943 aged just 18. After his initial training in Kingaroy, Queensland, Keith undertook flying training at No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School in Narromine, NSW, and No. 5 Service Flying Training School in Uranquinty, NSW, where he was awarded his wings. He then completed the fighter pilot course at No. 2 Operational Training Unit in Mildura, Victoria.

In January 1945, Keith was posted to No. 86 Squadron, based at Bohle River near Townsville, Queensland. In April 1945, after practicing dive bombing, Keith was forced to crash land his Kittyhawk fighter. Incredibly, his wrecked aircraft was rediscovered many years after the war and is being restored to one day fly again as a ‘warbird’.

Keith was discharged from the RAAF in October 1945. He says he valued the comradeship ‘as you won’t find this in civilian life’. He formed lifetime friendships with Philip Hamilton-Foster and Victor Stanlan.

When asked if he has any advice for younger service personnel, Keith replied, ‘yes, go for it. Service life for younger people gives them direction and enables them to succeed and establish a purpose’.

After the war, Keith became an electrician. He was involved in the manufacturing of heavy-duty centrifugal fans. He then became a project engineer before moving back to country life and starting a manufacturing and cane furniture business with his wife Pauline who he married in 1958. The couple went on to have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Sadly, Pauline and one of their children have passed away.

When Keith was younger, he enjoyed swimming, fishing, playing football and boat building. He did clay target shooting until the age of 97. Keith is a beekeeper, and he still has hives. He also enjoys keeping up to date with current and world events.

And the secret to Keith’s longevity? He has always been active and motivated. He has a positive attitude, surrounds himself with positive people, eats raw honey every morning, and has a good dietitian and nutritionist.