Orders, Decorations and Medals

THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, Stall Plate of a Knight Commander, gilded brass with engraved and painted coat of arms, inscribed 'Sir John Keane, Major-General of His Majesty's Forces, nominated a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath 2nd Jany. 1815', 225mm x 185mm, the reverse with makers stamp 'G. Harris, No. 31 Shoe Lane, London,' good very fine and rare

Sir John Keane (1781-1844) served in the Peninsula as a Brigade Commander in Wellington's army. He received the Gold Cross with two clasps for Martinique, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, the Nive, and Toulouse. Keane was present at the attack on New Orleans in December 1814, commanded a brigade in the subsequent operations, and was severely wounded in two places while leading the left column in the unsuccessful attempt on New Orleans in January, 1815. Distinguished through his service in the Peninsula and in America was, it was in India that Keane came to mark his place in history. In 1833 Keane was appointed commander-in-chief at Bombay and subsequently to the command of the Army of the Indus for the purpose of driving the Persians out of Afghanistan and reinstating Shah Soojah-ool-Moolk to the throne. The success of these operations culminated with the capture of Ghuznee in July 1839, and the occupation of Cabul a few weeks later. On 12 August 1839, Keane was made G.C.B. and on 19 December the same year was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Keane of Ghuznee and of Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. He also received the thanks of Parliament and of the court of directors of the East India Company. He died, as a Lieutenant General and Colonel of the 43rd Foot, on 26 August 1844, aged 63.