Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Martinique (Jas. Keating, Gunner, R. Arty.) very fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals relating to the American War of 1812 from the collection of William G Cheoros.

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James Keating served in Captain St Clair’s Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Artillery. Keating’s distinguished conduct in Canada is brought to notice in Major Duncan’s History of the Royal Artillery:

‘It [the 7th Battalion] served in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 in Canada. In the winter of the former year it was collected in Kingston, Upper Canada, watching the enemy. Acting-Bombardier James Keating, being detached with seven gunners to Michilimackinac, distinguished himself in an affair with the enemy, and his conduct was rewarded by a commission from the Provincial Government.’

There is today an Ontario Provincial Plaque to him in front of the Commandants house, in the grounds of Discovery Harbour at Penetanguishene, Ontario:

‘Here stood the residence of Captain Keating. Born about 1786 in Wexford, Ireland, he joined the Royal Artillery and was present at the Capture of Detroit, 1812, and the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, in 1813. At Praire Du Chien in 1814 his skilful use of the single British Cannon forced the surrender of Fort Shelby’s American Garrison. Appointed Fort Adjutant at St Joseph’s Island in 1815, he later served on Drummond Island, and with its garrison was transferred to Penetanguishene in 1828. As the first Adjutant of this military establishment, he played a leading role in the community until his death in 1849.’