William Keatinge

William Lewis Keatinge, (1 August 1869 – 21 February 1934) was an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. After four years as a parish priest, he joined the British Army as a chaplain in 1897. He served in the Second Boer War, and then in the First World War as a senior Catholic chaplain. He was chaplain to the forces 1st class (equivalent to colonel) from 1910, served on the Western Front and the Macedonian front. Finally, he was Vicar Apostolic for Great Britain, Military from 1917, and Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Forces from 1920.

Biography Keatinge was born on 1 August 1869 in Hackney, London, England. From 1883 to 1887, he was educated at Downside School, then an all-boys independent Catholic boarding school. He then attended seminary at the English College, Rome. He spent four years as a parish priest at St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church, Wandsworth. He was first posted to Aldershot Garrison in England. In 1907, he was made a Privy Chamberlain to the Pope Pius X, and thereby granted the title Monsignor. He was promoted to chaplain to the forces 1st class (equivalent to colonel) on 9 November 1910. During the inter-war period, he served twice overseas (Malta and Egypt), and was posted within England to Gosport, Portsmouth and Shorncliffe Army Camp. He narrowly avoided capture during the Great Retreat from Mons, and was at the First Battle of Ypres. on 15 October 1915, and for a third time. however this award was later cancelled, likely because the MC was meant for officers ranking captain or below, and he held a rank equivalent to colonel. Instead, on 21 July 1915, he was appointed Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) "in recognition of distinguished service in the Field", back-dated to 3 June 1915. In February 1916, he was awarded the Croix d'Officier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France. On 7 December 1916, he was appointed principal chaplain to the British Army on the Macedonian front; He was twice mentioned in despatches for service during this time. In October 1920, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "for valuable services rendered in connection with the War"; the award was back-dated to 3 June 1919. In 1920, he was appointed Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Forces.

He died on 21 February 1934, aged 64. He had hoped to die in Rome, but died in England after an extended illness. He is buried in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.