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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 251

(x) Four: Musician P. J. Keenan, Life Guards late Bandsman Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was taken prisoner of war at Gheluvelt during the 1st Battle of Ypres

1914 Star, with clasp (9122 Bndsmn: P. J. Keenan. R.War:R.); British War and Victory Medals (9122 Pte P. J. Keenan. R. War. R.); Army. L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (299430 Musician P. J. Keenan. L.Gds.), contact marks overall, very fine (4)

Patrick Joseph Keenan was born at Dublin, Ireland on 15 October 1885 and enlisted as a Boy with the Warwickshire Regiment in 1902. He was appointed Bandsman in 1904 and joined the 2nd Battalion in 1906, still serving with them on the outbreak of the Great War. Entering the war in Belgium on 4 October 1914, the Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge to assist in the defence of Antwerp. The city had already fallen when they arrived and the formation withdrew to meet the Allied forces advancing the other way, being posted to the Ypres theatre.

The Regiment was stationed at Gheluvelt during the Battle and was part of the tremendous action there between 30-31 October, which culminated in the famous Charge of the Worcesters. Keenan is listed as being taken prisoner of war on 30 October in his service papers, although oddly the German records state he was taken on 7 November. Regardless he was taken to the camp at Gustrow in Northern Germany.

Repatriated in December 1919, Keenan joined the reserve and was discharged in November 1920. Almost immediately he re-enlisted with the 2nd Life Guards as a Musician- and Bassoon player- remaining with the Regiment for the next six years. Having been released in November 1926 Keenan again re-attested with the 18th Battalion, London Regiment but was discharged six months later. He settled initially at Eastbourne, Sussex but eventually died in Merseyside where he was buried on 30 December 1954; sold together with copied service papers, census data, P.O.W. records and a photograph.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£140 to £180

Starting price
£110