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Search for family members of First World War soldier Walter Charles Keen buried in Maidstone

The search has begun to find relatives of a soldier who died shortly after the First World War and is buried in Kent.

Private Walter Charles Keen died aged 40 following illness and now the hunt is on to find family members as plans get under way for him to be remembered.

He was a soldier in the labour corps and his death was registered on December 1, 1918.

Attempts are being made to find relatives of Private Walter Charles Keen who is buried at Maidstone Cemetery (5603077)
Attempts are being made to find relatives of Private Walter Charles Keen who is buried at Maidstone Cemetery (5603077)

Peter Francis, a press officer for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, is keen to hear from family who are believed to be based in Gloucestershire.

He said: "He is buried in Maidstone Cemetery and his parents' address was in Gloucestershire.

"He was a non-commission case which meant he was missed at the time.

"These cases are for those who were wounded and died from their wounds but were discharged and fell out of the loop.

"He died from heart failure following the flu and pneumonia and he suffered as a result of the Spanish flu pandemic.

"Now we want to find his family.

"We are manufacturing a headstone for him so he can be remembered.

"We don't know a huge amount about him but he was 40 years old and he worked as an agricultural labourer in the army."

If you can help find relatives of Private Keen contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's head office on 01628 634221.

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