Royal Artillery Institution Gold Medal, obverse Britannia seated on a lion, above, ‘Scientia et Virtute’; in exergue, ‘1871; reverse, within a wreath of oak and laurel, ‘Royal Artillery Institution MDCCCXXXVIII’, (Major W. Kemmis, Royal Artillery 1877) 48mm., gold, 55.7g. (1.96oz) nearly extremely fine £800-1000

William Kemmis was born at Camira Glebe on 8 August 1836. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 7 April 1856, being promoted Captain, 5 April 1866; Major, 16 February 1875; and Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 November 1882. He was two times Gold Medallist and once Silver Medallist of the Royal Artillery Institution (1877, 1880 and 1888). Kemmis passed the School of Gunnery Course, 1866-7 and was Gunnery Instructor of the 10th Brigade R.A. 1867-70; he passed the Advanced Class 1870-72, and was Captain Instructor and then Assistant Superintendent Royal Carriage Department, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, 1872-77. He was author of the Text Book of the Manufactures of the Royal Carriage Department, 1st. and 2nd. Editions; Gunnery Tables, etc. He commanded "B" Field Battery, 5th. Brigade, 1878-81 and was then Professor of Artillery, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, 1881-4. He retired with the rank of Colonel 6 September 1884. He died at Ballinacor, Co. Wicklow, 3 February 1900.