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RAF 41427 Pilot Officer Osborne Harvey KEEDWELL.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Keedwell of Levin.

Pete Keedwell was born at Levin on the 10th June 1913 and received his secondary education at the Levin District High School, passing the University entrance examination. At school he played football and cricket, also taking part in swimming. Later, he was Hon. Secretary of the Levin Swimming Club and Levin Gymnasium Club. From the time of leaving school, until applying for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in May 1938, he was employed by Abraham and Williams Ltd., at Palmerston North and Levin. On acceptance he embarked by the "Rangitata" late in August for the United Kingdom.

Pilot Officer Keedwell commenced his elementary flying training on the 2nd October, 1938 at No. 9 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, Ansty, Coventry, completing this before posting on the 14th December to Uxbridge for a short disciplinary course. He commenced his service flying at No. 6 Flying Training School, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, on the 2nd January 1939 in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer. Here, he was awarded the flying badge on the 6th May, and completed his training before joining No. 57 (B) Squadron at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, on the 5th August. With this Unit he flew as 2nd pilot of a Blenheim aircraft, being posted later the same month to No. 104 Squadron, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire where he converted to and flew as pilot of Blenheim aircraft. He was posted to No. 101 (B) Squadron, West Raynham on the 25th October and then to No. 107 Squadron at Wattisham, Suffolk on the 14th November. From this base and later from Lossiemouth, Scotland on attachment as Captain of Blenheim aircraft, he took part in eight operational flights including two sweeps, three reconnaissance patrols and two bombing attacks on targets at Stavenger in Norway.