Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Victorian D.S.O. group for Hazara awarded to Colonel James Keith, Commanding Royal Artillery on the Sikkim, Hazara and Isazai Expeditions

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, small clip to reverse centre; AFGHANISTAN 1878-80, no clasp (Captn., R.H.A.); INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1854-95, 2 clasps, Sikkim 1888, Hazara 1891 (Major, No. 9/1 N.D.R.A.) unless otherwise described nearly extremely fine and rare (3)

D.S.O., London Gazette, 24 November, 1891.

James Keith was born in November, 1842 and entered the Royal Artillery on 18 December, 1861. He served with G/4, R.A. in Afghanistan from the commencement of the war until January, 1879 when he was appointed Adjutant, R.A., Kandahar Field Force. For his services in command of the Royal Artillery in the Sikkim Expedition, 1888, he was mentioned in despatches. Keith again commanded the Royal Artillery in the Hazara Expedition, 1891 being mentioned in despatches once more and awarded the D.S.O.: 'Lieutenant-Colonel J. Keith, commanding the Royal Artillery, is an officer well experienced in mountain artillery in the field, and was specially fitted for his appointment. The service of the guns was most efficient on all occasions.’

Again in command of the Artillery, Keith served in the Isazai Expedition, 1892, for which no medals were awarded and retired with the rank of Brevet Colonel in 1895.

Only 4 D.S.O's awarded for Hazara 1891.