Full medal write up
CABUL 1842 ‘WM. KEENAN 31ST. REGT.’
William Keenan was born in Ireland and enlisted into the 31st Foot in February 1838. He took part in the Afghan campaign of 1842 and died of wounds, 29 November 1842. These wounds probably received at the battle of Tazeen Pass, fought on 13 September 1842 as Keenan is shown in Hospital in musters throughout October until his death.
During the final phase of the 1st Afghan War Major-General Pollock's Army of Retribution reached Tezeen on 11 September 1842. Akbar Khan led his army through the Khoord-Kabul Pass to the Tezeen Valley to meet him and over the 12 and 13 September the battle of Teezen pass was fought. The battle itself consisted of a series of hard fought actions, fought over mountainous terrain, against a fanatical and brave foe. With the Afghans occupying the heights around the valley, the British had to storm one position after another until finally the Afghan army was driven back in disarray. This victory left the way clear for the advance to the Afghan capital. The 31st suffered 2 killed and 7 wounded, the army as a whole suffering 185 casualties. The 31st Suffered 48 Officers and men killed and during the entire Cabul campaign.
Medal fitted with a scroll suspension and two plain clasps which are believed to represent ‘Marzenia’ and ‘Tazeane’ 1842.
Condition VF. Impressed naming. Sold with a substantial and well put together file of research, including narratives of 1842 campaign, LG, copied muster roll extracts etc. Ex Spink 2003 and Noonans 2013.
A very scarce casualty medal