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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 120

(x) The famed Charge of the Light Brigade group of three awarded to Trumpet-Major J. Keates, 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own), who had his horse killed under him at Balaklava, where he was Orderly Trumpeter to the Earl of Cardigan

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Trumpter. J. Keates, XIth Hussars), regimentally impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (914 Trump. Major John Keates, 11th Hussars), officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (914 Trupt. John Kates XI PAO Hussars), regimentally impressed naming, fitted with replacement ring suspension, the first with old repair to suspension which is a little slack, contact marks, nearly very fine (3)

Ex-J. B. Hayward & Son, May 1987, and formerly in the regimental museum of the Royal Norfolk Regiment at Norwich.

Joseph John Keates (first name usually shown on Musters as John) enlisted in July or August 1836, and served in the Crimea as Orderley Trumpeter to the Earl of Cardigan. He had his horse killed under him in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava.

The story of his trumpet carried at Balaklava is a remarkable one. As recalled by the Regimental Museum:

'In 1856 the 11th Hussars returned to England and was inspected by Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Aldershot on 30th July, before going to Canterbury in August. On arrival at Canterbury the regiment was instructed to hand in all equipment which had served its time, including bugles and trumpets.

At this point, Keates went to the commanding officer, Colonel Douglas, and asked if his trumpet, carried at Balaklava, could be kept. An application was made for this, and the regiment had the trumpet returned [from Ordnance Stores] - after paying the value of the metal!'

It was then encased in the Officer’s Mess, and was exhibited at the Prince Consort’s Library in 1960, still being on public display at Horsepower, The Museum of The King's Royal Hussars, Winchester today.

Keates was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in July 1861, and was discharged as Trumpet Major on 16 November 1864. He was a member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society and is shown in the lists of 1877 and 1879, although Lummis states, probably in error, that he died in 1878.

The Battle Honour ‘Balaklava’ is still proudly borne on the guidon of The King’s Royal Hussars today; sold together with copied research including extracts from the XI Hussar Journal concerning the Balaklava Trumpet.

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

Estimate
£6,000 to £8,000

Starting price
£5500