Listowel in Perth County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

1. Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A World War I flying 'ace’; McKeever was born and raised in Elma Township. He enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1916 but, attracted by the life of the fighter pilot, transferred to Britain's Royal Flying Corps once he was overseas. From May 1917 to January 1918 McKeever was posted to the 11th Squadron on the Western Front. An outstanding operator of the two-seater Bristol Fighter, he, with his various observers or gunners, shot down some 30 enemy aircraft during reconnaissance missions and offensive patrols, earning the Military Cross and Bar and the Distinguished Service Order for his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" At the end of the war, McKeever returned home where, shortly afterward, he died as the result of a car accident.

Pilote hors pair de la Grande Guerre, McKeever naît et grandit dans le canton d'Elma. Il s'engage dans le Corps expéditionnaire canadien en 1916 mais, rêvant de devenir pilote de chasse, il passe au Royal Flying Corps britannique une fois en Europe. De mai 1917 à janvier 1918, McKeever est posté sur le front ouest dans le 11 escadron. Prodigieusement habile aux commandes du Bristol Fighter, un chasseur à deux places, lui et ses divers observateurs et artilleurs abattent quelque 30 avions ennemis lors des pat rouilles de reconnaissance et d'offensive, ce qui lui vaut la Croix militaire avec agrafe et la croix du Service distingué pour "remarquable bravoure et sens du devoir? La guerre finie, McKeever rentre au Canada où il meurt peu après d'un accident de voiture.

Erected by Ontario

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Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust, and the Valor in Aerial Operations series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1918.

Location. 43° 43.989′ N, 80° 57.104′ W. Marker is in Listowel, Ontario, in Perth County. It is at the intersection of Wallace Avenue North and Elizabeth Street East, on the right when traveling north on Wallace Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 280 Wallace Avenue N, Listowel ON N4W 1K9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 [français] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

2. Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 [français]

Listowel Cenotaph (here, next to this marker); Listowel Post Office Tower (a few steps from this marker); The Founding of Listowel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Milverton (approx. 18.9 kilometers away); The Founding of Harriston (approx. 21 kilometers away); Harriston Cenotaph (approx. 21 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Two-seater Ace: Andrew Edward McKeever, DSO, MC, DFC (Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Museum).

Major Andrew E. McKeever, the “King of the two-seaters” sits at 10th in the ranking of Canadian aces of the Great War with 31 aerial victories. McKeever was born on 21 August 1894 in Listowel, Ontario. He attended Central Technical School in Toronto and was working as a bank teller at the outbreak of war.

McKeever joined the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, a Toronto militia unit, in October 1915. Some biographies mistakenly indicate that McKeever went overseas and served in France as an infantryman. In fact, he remained in Canada and joined the Royal Flying Corps from Canada in November 1916, sailing for England on the 25th. On 5 December he was appointed to the rank of probationary
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

3. Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 Marker
Second Lieutenant.

(Submitted on July 7, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Andrew Edward McKeever, ca 1918 image. Click for full size.

circa 1918

4. Andrew Edward McKeever, ca 1918

(Library and Archives Canada, public domain)

Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 Marker (at the lower left of the clock tower) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

5. Andrew Edward McKeever, 1895-1919 Marker (at the lower left of the clock tower)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 7, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.