When the troops were evacuated in early May 1940 there was shock in Britain. Parliament gathered for the Norway Debate on 7 and 8 May 1940. Making a dramatic entrance in the full uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, including medals, Keyes defended the navy and strongly criticised the government. In his closing remarks Keyes invoked Horatio Nelson. Chamberlain's government fell two days later and Winston Churchill became prime minister. When Germany invaded the Low Countries in May 1940, Churchill appointed Keyes liaison officer to Leopold III, King of the Belgians. But when Belgium surrendered suddenly to the Germans later that month both Leopold and Keyes were attacked in the British press. Keyes became the first Director of Combined Operations in June 1940 and implemented plans for the training of commandos and raids on hostile coasts. He came up with bold schemes which were considered impractical by the Chiefs of Staff and he was removed from office in October 1941. He was elevated to the peerage as Baron Keyes, of Zeebrugge and of Dover in the County of Kent on 22 January 1943. Keyes suffered a detached retina in early 1944. He then undertook a goodwill tour of Canada, Australia and New Zealand at the request of the British Government in July 1944. During his visit to the amphibious warfare ship he suffered smoke inhalation following an attack by Japanese aircraft and never fully recovered. He died at his home in Tingewick on 26 December 1945 and was buried at the Zeebrugge corner of St James's Cemetery in Dover. Family In 1906 Keyes married Eva Mary Bowlby: they had three daughters and two sons including Geoffrey Keyes, who was killed in action in 1941 and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Honours and awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath – 3 June 1930 (KCB – 24 April 1918, CB – 19 June 1911) Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order – 10 December 1918 (CVO – 30 March 1918, MVO – 24 April 1906) Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George – 1 January 1916 Companion of the Distinguished Service Order – 3 June 1916 Mention in Despatches – 14 March 1916 Commandeur of the Legion of Honour (France) – 5 April 1916 Navy Distinguished Service Medal (United States) – 16 September 1919 Grand Cross, Order of Leopold (Belgium) – 2 August