Sergeant Robert McKeag (1522883) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He flew with RAF 50 Squadron at his time of death. Born in 1922, he was the youngest son of Robert McKeag and Agnes C. McKeag of Belfast. His baptism took place at St. Martin's Parish Church, Belfast. Known to family and friends as Bobby, he lived at 5 Baltic Street, Belfast before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Bobby died on 4th September 1943 aged 21 years old. He was an Air Gunner on Avro Lancaster ED755 VN-Q. The Mark III bomber was on a night raid over Berlin, Germany.
Between 1930hrs and 2045hrs on 3rd September 1943, 316 Lancaster Bombers departed for Berlin, Germany from R.A.F. Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. It was the third such raid over Germany’s capital city since 24th August 1943.
Family Archive Photo. R.A.F. Sergeant Robert McKeag of Belfast with crew members. McKeag is kneeling, first left on the front row. Date and other crew members currently unknown. Photo supplied by Sharon Kerridge, descendent of the McKeag family.
Flying Officer Percy H. Coates took off at 2011hrs. Around 3 hours later, the formation of bombers was over the target city. On the way out of Berlin, Germany, Coates’ Lancaster with McKeag on board took a direct hit either from a night fighter or flak to the north of the city.
One of the wings caught fire and the bomber began to fall from the sky observed by witnesses in Schoenberg and Vielitz. There was panic in the latter, as the wing broke off and the descending Lancaster veered dangerously towards the village. Before impact, the plane exploded in mid-air, showering Vielitz with debris. Ammunition on board the plane continued to burn and explode throughout the night. It was later the following day before locals visited the site.
Family Archive Photo. R.A.F. Sergeant Robert McKeag of Belfast with crew members. McKeag is kneeling, second from right on the front row. Date and other crew members currently unknown. Photo supplied by Sharon Kerridge, descendent of the McKeag family.
Locals Visit The Site
The bodies of some crew members remained on board the wrecked fuselage. Others came to rest in nearby trees having attempted to bale out. A witness at the time reported a survivor with serious injuries was taken to the town of Neuruppin for health care. Those injuries would overcome the crew member as on 8th September 1943, all 7 crew members were buried in Neuruppin, Germany. At a later date, all were reinterred in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany.
Remembering the crew of Lancaster ED755
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedbrook | Anthony R.D. | Sergeant | Air Gunner | Royal Air Force |
| Buchan | George B. | Sergeant | Flight Engineer | Royal Air Force |
| Coates | Percy H. | Flying Officer | Pilot | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Collins | Rae W.B. | Sergeant | Bombardier | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Cooper | Reginald G. | Sergeant | Wireless Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Lauder | Jack M. | Flying Officer | Navigator | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| McKeag | Robert | Sergeant | Air Gunner | Royal Air Force |
Family Archive Photo. Telegram from King George VI informing Robert McKeag's mother of her son's sacrifice along side the Belfast man's war medals, air gunner wings, and sergeant's stripes. Photo supplied by Sharon Kerridge, descendent of the McKeag family.
Remembering Robert McKeag
Sergeant Robert McKeag’s grave is in Section 7, Row J, Plot 21 of the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany. His headstone bears the inscription:
Amidst life’s changes, I’ll never forget, my son.
Family Archive Photo. The grave of Sergeant Robert McKeag, Royal Air Force air gunner in Charlottenberg, Berlin, Germany. Photo supplied by Sharon Kerridge, descendent of the McKeag family.
In June 2018, Bobby McKeag’s great-niece Sharon Kerridge contacted WartimeNI with further information on her great-uncle’s service. The family was unaware of Bobby’s gravesite until the 1980s. After a lot of research and work from her father, the family found Bobby’s final resting place and received his war medals. The family has since visited Sergeant McKeag’s grave in Berlin, Germany, finding comfort in remembrance services and laying flowers, wreaths, and enamel poppies on the grave.
WartimeNI Photo: The headstone marking the grave of Sergeant Robert McKeag of R.A.F. 50 Squadron in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany. Photo taken on 24th October 2017. Copyright Scott Edgar - WartimeNI.