Richard Keatinge

June 17, 1825 (age 78)

Dublin, Ireland

He was 32 years old, and a major in the Bombay Artillery, Bombay Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 17 March 1858 at the assault of Chundairee for which he was awarded the Venture capital: Bombay Artillery (now of the Staff Corps) Major Richard Harte Keatinge Date of Acting of Bravery, March 17th, 1858 Foreign having rendered most efficient aid at the assault of Chundairee. In voluntarily leading the Column through the breach, which was protected by a heavy cross fire. He was one of the foremost to enter, and was severely wounded in the breach. The Column was saved from a serious loss that would probably have resulted, but for Major Keatinge"s knowledge of the small path leading across the ditch, which had been examined during the night by himself and a servant, who declined, when required, to lead the column, without his master. Having cleared the breach. He led into the Fort where he was struck down by another dangerous wound. The Commander-in-Chief in India states that the success af Chundairee was mainly owing to this Officer, whose gallantry, really brilliant, he considers was equalled by his ability and devotion. Major Keatinge was at the time a Political Officer with the 2nd Brigade of the Central India Field Force. In 1862 he was transferred to the Royal Artillery and then to the Bombay Staff Corps of the British Indian Army. In 1868, he founded the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, which opened its doors as a school for boys in 1870. From 1871 to 1873 he was Chief Commissioner of Ajmer-Merwara, and from 1874 to 1878 was Chief Commissioner of Assam. In retirement, he settled at Horsham, Sussex, where he died in 1904. A road in the Indian city of Shillong, which was the capital of the British Province of Assam, where Keatinge had served as Chief Commissioner, has been named Keatinge Road in his honour.

Richard Keatinge

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Background

Keatinge was born in Dublin.

Career

He was 32 years old, and a major in the Bombay Artillery, Bombay Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 17 March 1858 at the assault of Chundairee for which he was awarded the Venture capital:

Bombay Artillery (now of the Staff Corps)

Major Richard Harte Keatinge Date of Acting of Bravery, March 17th, 1858

Foreign having rendered most efficient aid at the assault of Chundairee. In voluntarily leading the Column through the breach, which was protected by a heavy cross fire. He was one of the foremost to enter, and was severely wounded in the breach.

The Column was saved from a serious loss that would probably have resulted, but for Major Keatinge"s knowledge of the small path leading across the ditch, which had been examined during the night by himself and a servant, who declined, when required, to lead the column, without his master.

Having cleared the breach. He led into the Fort where he was struck down by another dangerous wound.

The Commander-in-Chief in India states that the success af Chundairee was mainly owing to this Officer, whose gallantry, really brilliant, he considers was equalled by his ability and devotion. Major Keatinge was at the time a Political Officer with the 2nd Brigade of the Central India Field Force.

In 1862 he was transferred to the Royal Artillery and then to the Bombay Staff Corps of the British Indian Army.

In 1868, he founded the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, which opened its doors as a school for boys in 1870. From 1871 to 1873 he was Chief Commissioner of Ajmer-Merwara, and from 1874 to 1878 was Chief Commissioner of Assam. In retirement, he settled at Horsham, Sussex, where he died in 1904.

A road in the Indian city of Shillong, which was the capital of the British Province of Assam, where Keatinge had served as Chief Commissioner, has been named Keatinge Road in his honour.

Achievements

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant general.

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Born

June 17, 1825

Dublin, Ireland
Died

March 25, 1904 (aged 78)
Nationality
Ireland

Awards

Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.

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