Leading Aircraftman Robert Keith Agnew (1136022) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. He was training as a pilot at the time of his death in 1941. Robert was the son of Norman Agnew and Annie Isabelle Agnew of Sydenham, Belfast, Co. Down. He enlisted in the RAF aged 18 in 1940.
He died on 9th December 1941 aged 18 years old. He was the pilot on Airspeed Oxford AP467 of No. 12 Flying Training School based at RAF Grantham, Lincolnshire. On a training flight, the plane stalled while recovering from a dive, hitting the ground inverted. The crash site was near Harlaxton, Lincolnshire. Grantham was the place where authorities registered the young airman’s death.
Robert Keith Agnew’s grave is in Section E3, Grave 899 of Dundonald Cemetery, Dundonald, Co. Down. Some reports suggest he was related to US Army 101st Airborne Division’s Jack Agnew of “Filthy 13” fame.