The gift was originally given by Ulmanis to Major Austin Henry Keenan in recognition of his efforts in support of Latvian independence in 1919, when Ulmanis' government was temporarily installed on the British warship "Saratov" moored off Liepāja. Keenan was head of the British military mission.
On 26.06, in a ceremony hosted by @Latvian_MFA & @UKinLatvia a piece of amber gifted by K.Ulmanis to Head of ?? Milit. Mission Maj. A.H.Keenan 100 yrs ago, handed over on loan to @Pulvertornis.
— Latvian MFA (@Latvian_MFA) June 26, 2019
The historic item brought to Riga by Maj.Keenan’s granddaughters Helen&Sarah Currell. pic.twitter.com/LQdWMsDgDA
"This amber has been in our family as long as I can remember... the amber always stood in a special box on the shelf in my mother's living room,” said Helen Currell, one of two granddaughters of Major Keenan who attended a handover ceremony alongside British ambassador to Latvia Keith Shannon.
It is planned that the inscribed amber will go on display at the Latvian War Museum.