Captain Raymond Keep joined No.2 Commando on 23 September 1942. He was appointed Adjutant on 23 September 1943 [1]. Awarded the Military Cross (Periodic) in recognition of his consistent gallant and distinguished service during operations whilst Acting Major [2][2a].

Major Keep landed in Sicily with No.2 Commando in July 1943. He took part in the Commando raid at Scaletta which led to the capture of Messina. He has since taken part in all the actions of this Commando, including the landing at Salerno in Sept 1943, the raid on Hvar Island, Dalmatia, in January 1944, the raid on Solta Island in March 1944, the raid on Mljet Island in May 1944 and the raid on Brac Island in June 1944.

During the bitter fighting on the beach head at Salerno from 9th to 20th Sept 1943 this officer was a section leader who distinguished himself by leading a series of small patrols behind the enemy's lines which brought back nine prisoners in all and much valuable information. His leadership and fearlessness won the admiration of his section and his offensive spirit and anxiety to go forward at a time when most of the troops in the beach head were on the defensive had an excellent effect on the morale of his unit.

On the move of No. 2 Commando to Dalmatia Major Keep was appointed Adjutant, and again distinguished himself as a leader in all raids in which he took part. In action he has always displayed a keen offensive and truculent spirit and was always the first to volunteer for any duty which involved the penetration of the enemy's lines.

In the raid on Brac in June 1944 the Colonel of No. 2 Commando was taken prisoner by the enemy while leading an assault on the final objective. After its capture the island was evacuated, but Major Keep volunteered to remain behind in order to attempt to release his Colonel. He remained on the island for three days, during which time he personally killed two Germans with his Tommy Gun and reconnoitred the enemy positions which were heavily mined and wired. Not content with keeping these features under close observation he actually penetrated them both, crawling through the minefields and listening to the German conversations in their weapon pits. He did not leave the island until it seemed beyond doubt that the Colonel had already been evacuated to the mainland of Yugoslavia by sea. This officer was previously recommended for an immediate award after Salerno. His spirit and leadership has consistently been of the highest order, and he has maintained his high standard over 12 months of hard fighting.