#BritishArmyLogistics
8 Major Kenneth W Blease – RASC/RAOC/RCT
8 WO1 (SSM) G P Keelor RAOC
OBITUARIES | THE SUSTAINER Born in Airdrie in Scotland, Ken Blease joined Junior Leaders Battalion RASC in September 1961 aged 15. At that time his father was serving in the REME and stationed in Benghazi. Joining Connaught Platoon ‘A’Wing Ken quickly settled in to his army training. Such was his cheerful personality and good humour that he made many friends. His dedication to his training quickly led to promotion through Buller, Dalton and finally, Gloucester Platoon where he attained the rank of Junior CSM. Ken proved to be an extremely capable pugilist, earning him a place in the Battalion boxing team where it is believed, he remained unbeaten. On leaving Norton Manor Ken served in FARELF Singapore, where he was transferred into the RAOC.Then on to HQ AFCENT, UNFICYP and HQ BAOR. Only ten years after leaving Juniors, he was promoted to WO2. In 1977 Ken was commissioned into the RCT returning to the Junior Leaders Regiment in Taunton as a Troop Commander. He was then involved in their move to Colerne. As a Captain he was posted back to Germany serving in several units before a short spell in Andover. Following his well-deserved promotion to Major in August 1984 he again returned to Germany facing up to the challenges of command. One of his proudest moments was taking command of the independent, Joint
Transport Company in Rheindahlen. Ken’s final posting before retiring in 1990 was as OC Driver Training Wing at ASMT Leconfield. Not being one to don his slippers at that point Ken then joined the Prison Service as OSG in prison officer support and remarkably served at the same time as is son, daughter and daughter-in-law at HMP Hull. Ken and his wife Jean had married in 1967. There followed the birth of their daughter Michelle and then soon after came son Mark. In later life Ken was often to be heard praising his children’s progress in life and how proud he and Jean were of their accomplishments. Sadly, Jean passed away in 2016 leaving Ken bereft and devastated by her loss. He continued to attend Norton Manor Group reunions and mini-meetings up to 2017, but then moved with his entire family to Banff in Scotland, where he settled into a quiet retirement. He had been suffering kidney problems for quite some time, eventually, sadly, succumbing to his ailments. On behalf of all members of the Norton Manor Group I extend our sympathies and condolences to Michelle, Mark and to all of the grand-children and great grand-children too. Kenneth W Blease was a man to be immensely proud of and he will remain in all our hearts and minds for a very long time to come. RIP Ken. Mike Mason (Secretary and Coordinator, Norton Manor Group, RASC}
Gerry Keelor sadly passed away on 31 March 2020. Gerry was born on 3 March 1938. On completion of his education he joined the RAOC as a boy soldier. He passed out as a Storeman RAOC in 1955 and was posted to Blackdown Barracks as MTI. Gerry was promoted to Corporal in Bicester, where he met Beryl, who was then a Corporal in the WRAC.They married in 1959 in St Helens, Lancashire and went on to have two daughters, Sharron and Lisa. After a posting to 17 RVD in Mönchengladbach and then Detmold, he was then posted in 1963 to 208 Signals Squadron, in Malaya. In 1966, the family returned to UK and whilst in Kineton, Gerry volunteered for the All Arms Commando Course. After being awarded his green beret he was posted with 3 Commando Brigade OFP to Singapore in 1967. Returning to Bramley in 1970, Gerry was selected to serve with the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus. In 1972 the family were posted to Ord Depot Antwerp and Gerry was promoted to WO1 (SSM) before leaving for Bramley again in 1975. Gerry left the Army in 1978. Within the Corps, Gerry was a popular and dedicated soldier with a great sense of humour and was well known as one of The
Keelor Brothers who combined together, had a total of 97 year’s service with the RAOC. Gerry didn't settle into civilian life and after a year went to work for the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces as an Ammunition Specialist, returning to the UK six years later. Gerry and Beryl moved to the village of Billinge, nr St Helens, where he worked as a warehouse operator at Carborundum Abrasives UK, until his retirement in 2003. In retirement he remained an active committee member of The Commando Veterans Association. Gerry was a regular attender of the RAOC Association and Vehicle Specialist Fellowship Branch reunions joining his brother Chris. His was a life, well lived, he was a soldier through and through and although struck down with a debilitating dementia type illness, he never lost his sense of humour. He was a much loved husband of 61 years to Beryl and a kind and loving dad to his girls and adored and hero worshiped granddad to four granddaughters and two grandsons. He will be sorely missed by his large family and many, many friends the world over. His funeral attendance was restricted due to Coronavirus. A memorial service is planned for April 2021 in Billinge. For information on attendance please email Chris Keelor at: chris.keelor@btinternet.com
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