English School (19th century)

Portrait of General Sir Thomas Kenah (1782-1868), seated wearing orders and medals and holding his dress sword, oil on canvas, 126 x 100cm

Thomas Kenah joined the Army as an Ensign in the 5th Foot on 14 August 1799. He was promoted Lieutenant on 9 May 1800. On 27 March 1801 he transferred to the 58th Foot. He was promoted Captain on 3 March 1804, Major on 5 November 1812 and brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 27 December 1813. By 1820 he had been created a C.B.

He was invested a K.C.B. in 1865. At the time of his death he was Colonel of the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot.

According to Hart’s Army List (1867): ‘Sir Thomas Kenah served in Holland in 1799, and was present in the action of 19th of Sept. – as well as in several minor affairs. In Egypt, under, under Sir Ralph Abercromby in 1901; in Sicily from 1808 to 1812; subsequently, on the coast of Spain, as Assistant, and afterwards as Deputy-Adjutant-General at the Head of the Department, and present at the battle of Castilia, as also several other affairs. Served also in at the siege and capture of Genoa in 1814. He has received the Gold Medal from the Grand Seignior for the Egyptian campaign, and also the Silver Medal with one Clasp’.

Photographic portraits of General Sir Thomas Kenah in the National Portrait Gallery can be found by clicking here.