New Accession: Uniform of Brigade Surgeon Kerans

Earlier this week Dr and Mrs Watson visited the Heritage Centre to present the Regimental Mess Uniform of Brigade Surgeon William Robert Kerans to RCPI, on behalf of their son James Watson. At the same time they also renewed the loan of Kerans’ surgical instruments to our collections.

William Robert Kerans was born in the Dispensary House in Ahascragh, Co. Galway, on 10th January 1836. He followed his father in the medical profession, training as a surgeon in Dublin. In December 1858 he joined the British Army medical service, attached to the 99th and later the 85th Regiment of Foot. Kerans’ military career took him all over the world, he served in India, China and Egypt. In 1874 he was promoted to Surgeon Major, and the case of surgical instruments presumable date to this period, given the inscription on the case.

Kerans married twice; firstly in India where his wife and their only child died. He married again in Dublin on 18th November 1873 to Anne Palmer, and they had six children. It is from this marriage that James Watson, who donated the uniform, is descended. 

In 1884 Kerans retired from the Army, and brought his family back to his native Ireland. They lived first at Templemore, County Tipperary, and while there Kerans joined the volunteer Royal Limerick County Militia. The Mess Uniform presented to the Heritage Centre is from this Militia Regiment.

We are delighted to be able to add Kerans’ uniform to our collections, one of a number of items which show the involvement of Irish medical men in the British Army. We are very grateful to Dr and Mrs Watson, and their son James, for their donations and support.