John Keane

Biography

John Keane, 1st Baron Keane, GCB, GCH (6 February 1781 – 24 August 1844) was a British soldier.

Keane was born in Belmont, Ireland, the second son of Sir John Keane, 1st Baronet. He joined the British Army as an Ensign at age 11 in 1792. He rose the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 60th Foot and commanded a brigade in the Peninsular War. For his services there, he was awarded the Army Gold Cross with two clasps for Martinique, Vitoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, the Nive, and Toulouse. Promoted to Major-General, Keane commanded the British 3rd brigade at the Battle of New Orleans where he was wounded twice. He served as commander-in-chief in the West Indies and also administered the colonial government of Jamaica.

Lieutenant-General Keane served as commander-in-chief of the Bombay Presidency in British India from 1833-1839 and commanded the combined British and British Indian army ("The Army of the Indus") during the opening campaign of the First Afghan War and first Anglo Marri wars. He commanded the victorious British and Indian army at the Battle of Ghazni on 23 July 1839. For his service, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Keane, of Ghuznee and of Cappoquin in the County of Waterford.

Lord Keane died at Burton Lodge, Hampshire, England, on 24 August 1844.