Private Thomas KEENE. D Company, 1st Welsh Regiment, who was accidently shot by a comrade on the 7th March 1890 at Pembroke Camp, Malta aged 27years and 11 months. This stone was erected by the Non Commissioned Officers and Men of his company.
At rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Plot 02 Row 17 Grave 02
Western Morning News - Wednesday 26 March 1890
A SOLDIER KILLED.
A shocking fatality occurred at Pembroke Camp about four or five mile from Valetta a few days ago.
Two privates of the Welch Regiment, named John Richards and Thomas Keen, had returned to their barrack room from the ranges.
During the evening Richards produce a cartridge, and addressing Keen, who with some other comrades was standing by, expressed himself curious to know whether the cap of the cartridge was in itself sufficient expel the bullet. With the object of satisfying himself on this point he opened the cartridge in his rifle. He then put the weapon to his shoulder, when a loud report caused the utmost construction among the whole party, especially as Keen fell bleeding to the ground. Help was at once forthcoming, when it was found that the bullet had pierced the brain of the unfortunate man, and had lodges in the back of his skull. The body was hurriedly borne to hospital, but life already extinct. Richards has been put under arrest, but the sad occurrence is looked as an unfortunate accident.
