| Keary | Henry D'Urban | | Captain | KEARY, HENRY D'URBAN, Captain, was born 28 April 1857, at Holkham, son of Hall William Keary, of Bridgenorth, Shropshire, Norfolk, and Helen D'Urban Keary, daughter of Lionel Rodwell of Staithe House, Brancaster, Norfolk. He was educated at Marlborough, and joined the Army as Sub-Lieutenant (unattached), 10 September 1875; became Second Lieutenant 12th Foot, 29 August 1876; Lieutenant, Army, 10 September 1877; was appointed to the Madras Staff Corps 7 May 1877, and proceeded to India. He served with the 1st Madras Infantry, 1876-77, and with it took part in the Afghan War, 1879-80 (Afghan Medal); served with the Madras Pioneers, 1883-85; through the Burma Campaign, and subsequent annexation, to the end of the operations, 1885-7 and 1887-89 (Despatches, Frontier Medal with four clasps); raised and commanded a Military Police Battalion, 1887-92 (clasp); became Captain, Indian Staff Corps, 10 September 1888; commanded a Company of Mounted Infantry during the rebellion of the Wuntho State, 1891-92-93; received a clasp, and was mentioned in Despatches for the action near Kawbei. Sir G Wolseley writes: "I desire to bring prominently to notice the brilliant, services of Captain H d'U Keary. I consider that the advancement of this Officer would be of benefit to the Service. The spirit of dash and confidence inspired by his presence at Kawbei and the prompt manner in which he grappled with the situation and turned the hitherto needlessly cautious state of defence into one of vigorous and determined attack, is worthy of special acknowledgment". Sir James Downes writes: "Captain Keary of the Military Police seems to be an officer of great intrepidity and decision for at a critical moment he assumed—with a position of his Mounted Infantry— the role of Cavalry, and dispersed the enemy, who were attacking Kawbei on three sides". (GGO No 985, dated 16 October 1891.) Captain Keary was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 18 March 1892]: "In recognition of services during the operations in the Wuntho District, Upper Burma. Henry D'Urban Keary, Captain, Indian Staff Corps". Insignia, Warrant, etc, sent to the Commander-in-Chief in India 7 July 1892, and presented by him 26 October 1892. Sir Henry Keary commanded the 91st Punjabs from 1892 to 1909, and was Colonel of the Regiment. He served in the Rebellion of the Northern Chin Hills, 1832-93, and was given the Brevet of Major 29 December 1893, and mentioned in Despatches. He became Major, Indian Army, 10 September 1897. Major Keary served in China, 1900-1902 (China Medal, Despatches, [London Gazette, 14 May 1901]). He became Lieutenant Colonel 10 Sept, 1903. He was given the Brevet of Colonel 10 September 1906; was ADC to HM the King 2 September 1907 to 30 November 1911; became Colonel 20 January 1910, and commanded the 2nd Infantry Brigade, Secunderabad, 1909-10; was Brigade Commander (Colonel on Staff, India), 20 January 1910 to 13 November 1911; was promoted Major General 1 December 1911; was Brigade Commander, India, 14 November 1911 to 12 October 1914; Brigade Commander, Garhwal Brigade, BEF 13 October 1914 to 7 January 1915; promoted Lieutenaut General 1 August 1917; was Divisional Commander, Lahore Division, BEF; Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, 8 January 1915 to 1917; Divisional Commander, India, 16 October 1917 to 12 August 1918; Divisional Commander, India, 13 August 1918. He was created a KCIE in 1917, and was Colonel, 91st Punjabis. The Garhwal Brigade consisted of the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, the 2nd Battalion 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, the 1st Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles, and the 2nd Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles. After the Battle of Givenchy the Corps Commander showed his appreciation of the work done by the following message to the Division: "I congratulate you on the good work done last night, which shows what can be done by enterprise and care. Please send my hearty congratulations to Major General Keary, the Leicesters, and the 2/3rd Gurkhas, for their gallant behaviour". General Sir James Willcocks sent the following message to General Keary: "Please convey to all ranks of Division my own and all their other comrades' best congratulations on having taken part in the battle near Ypres. We are proud of you all. Well done". We are told in "The Indian Corps in France "(page 288) that during the Second Battle of Ypres, "When General Keary moved up to his advanced headquarters near St Jean, he found the road strewn with corpses and dead animals. He himself had a narrow escape, for a shell, bursting in close proximity to his car, blew his kit off the roof, but luckily did no more serious damage". On the 31st July 1906, at St James's Church, Piccadilly, London, W, he married Mabel Louisa Lloyd, daughter of Colonel Malcolm Lloyd, Deputy Commissioner, Burma.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |
