Lt. Colonel Chris Keeble negotiated surrender of a 1,000 strong Argentine force in the Battle of Goose Green in 1982, during the Falkland’s War. He offered them dignity in surrender and did not humiliate. He did not abuse his power. Outnumbered and outgunned, his courage and empathy saved hundreds of lives that day. On both sides of the battlefield.
“They were human people who mattered just as much as I did and deserved a break…we settled the dispute through peaceful means.”
Born in British India during the Second World War in 1941 and moving to the UK in 1947, Keeble’s early childhood experiences instilled in him a great appreciation for freedom and peace. He was inspired by the stories of military heroes and felt compelled to defend these ideals.
Despite being told he was “probably the worst candidate” the Regular Commissions Board had ever seen, Keeble wasn’t deterred and joined the Lancers as a Trooper. He didn’t let presumptions about his ability stand in his way and emphasises the most important lesson he learnt during his early career - selflessness. To think about not what you can do to progress your own goals, but what you can do for the team in order to achieve its purpose.
Fast forward to April 1982, the Battle of Goose Green. The first engagement between British and Argentine forces and a fundamental moment for setting the tone of the battle. Keeble’s Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. H Jones, had been killed. They’d been fighting for 60 hours, ammunition had near enough run out, it was -20oC, and soldiers were dying. Keeble found himself thrust into a command position and made a pivotal decision not to fight further…but to negotiate with the enemy and offer them peaceful surrender.
Keeble emphasizes the importance of goodwill. That we are all unique, therefore we are all priceless. On or off the battlefield, we should treat our neighbours as such.
