Richard Harte Keatinge

Richard Harte Keatinge VC CSI (17 June 1825 – 25 May 1904) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Keatinge was born in Dublin. He was 32 years old, and a major in the Bombay Artillery, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 17 March 1858 at the assault of Chundairee, India, Major Keatinge voluntarily led the column through the breach which was protected by heavy cross-fire. He was one of the first to enter and was severely wounded, but the column was saved from serious loss which would probably have resulted but for the major's knowledge of the area. Having cleared the breach, he led the column into the fort where he was again wounded.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant general. He died at Horsham, Sussex.

References

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/sussex.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(West Sussex)"