Thomas was the youngest son of Samuel McKeown of Burn Road, Cookstown, a building contractor. Thomas joined the Royal Navy and was serving on H.M.S. Natal as part of the carpenter’s crew. Natal was at anchor in Cromarty Firth when she exploded on the afternoon of 30th December 1915. 388 members of the crew lost their lives in the explosion including Thomas McKeown.
From the Brompton Barracks Chatham - At the traffic signals turn right onto Globe Lane - A231 (signposted 'Historic Dockyards'). Keep in left hand lane then turn left onto Dock Road (signposted Gillingham). At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Wood Street - A231 (signposted Gillingham). Turn Right on Mansion Row (The memorial is signposted from here), then 1st left on Sally Port Gardens and finally 1st right on King's Bastion. Follow road through the housing estate, the car park to the memorial is at the end of this road. The Memorial overlooks the town of Chatham and is approached by a steep path from the Town Hall Gardens. A copy of the Memorial Register is kept in the Naval Chapel of Brompton Garrison Church and may be consulted there.
