Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Light Brigade group of three to Trumpet Major John Keates, 11th Hussars, 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, 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 and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine or better (3) £6000-8000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 10th and 11th Hussars.

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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 trumpet he carried at Balaklava was recovered from Ordnance Stores and hung in a glass case in the Officer’s Mess, and was exhibited at the Prince Consort’s Library in 1960.

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 Commmemoration Society and is shown in the lists of 1877 and 1879, although Lummis states, probably in error, that he died in 1878. Sold with research including extracts from the XI Hussar Journal concerning the Balaklava Trumpet.