From the very early entries in my Grandfather’s diary, he has mentioned his brother Keith a number of times. Keith died in action 25 November 1941 and is buried at Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery in Egypt. Keith was married to Joan Elizabeth Wilson, I am unsure if they had children.
My grandfather didn’t find out his brother was killed in action until 31st December 1941, even though he was himself was just a very short distance away fighting in Operation Crusader.
My grandfather visited Keith’s grave while he was serving in Libya and took these photos.
While I was in Dunedin, I found Keith’s name on the wall of those lost during WW2 from the Otago region. As he wasn’t from Otago, but Canterbury, I asked, and the best reason they could offer was that he enlisted while in Dunedin – his wife Joan was from Dunedin.
Images taken from the following sites
[…] Note : Keith was my Grandfather’s brother – he was killed in action back in November. To read more about Keith, click here. […]
[…] Keith was my grandfather’s brother who was killed in action. For more information on Lance Corporate Matthew Keith Sillars – click here. […]
[…] the diary entry for March 14th 1942, my grandfather learnt that his brother, Lance Corporal Matthew Keith Sillars grave was just a short distance away. So on that day, he visited it and I believe he took these […]
[…] (Keith was my grandfather’s brother who was killed in action) […]
[…] lifted at noon. Walked down to YMCA to find Keith (his brother). Saw Jack Parker, told me Keith on duty. Found Keith and went and talked to him […]
[…] And in memorial to his brother – Lest We Forget – Keith Sillars. […]
[…] First “aha” moment was the War Memorial at the cemetery, which has my Great-Uncle who died in World War 2’s name on it – M K Sillars – you can visit Keith’s memorial page here. […]