His younger brother, Trevor, also attended La Martinière; both enlisted in the Indian Air Force and both won Gallantry Awards.

The citation for the Vir Chakra reads as follows:[3][4] Gazette Notification: 133 Pres/65, 22-9-65 Operation: 1965 Riddle Date of Award: 19 Sep 1965

On the 19th September 1965, Squadron Leader Denzil Keelor was providing fighter escort to Mystere aircraft during a strike mission in the operations against Pakistan.

[5] The citation for the Kirti Chakra reads as follows:[5] Date of Award: 27 Mar 1978 GROUP CAPTAIN DENZIL KEELOR, VrC On the 27th March, 1978, while Group Captain Denzil Keelor was flying a combat aircraft at high altitude, its canopy flew off and this exposed him to explosive decompression ad severe wind blast.

Under these adverse conditions, wherein he was not able to have a proper view due to wind blast, and that too only with one eye, he brought the aircraft back to base and executed a safe emergency landing.

Group Captain Denzil Keelor thus displayed conspicuous courage, exemplary professional skill and devotion to duty of an exceptional order.

Gp Capt Keelor felt sudden decompression and loss of control, but managed to fly back to base and execute a safe emergency landing without the canopy.

Later on 17 May 78, during firing trials one of the 23 mm Cannon Shells exploded causing extensive damage and total electrical failure to his aircraft.