Sir William Alexander Smith

[DavidBB]

I am researching Sir WIlliam Alexander Smith, the Founder of the Boys' Brigade, who was born in Thurso on the 27th October 1854.
His father was David Smith, who was said to have served in the 7th Dragoon Guards, taking part in the Kaffir War of 1849-50. I understand that there was no Kaffir War during that period!!
There is no record of his promotion in the Dragoons that I can find, although there is an entry in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes for 1847 noting the promotion to Ensign of a David Smith in the Cape Mounted Riflemen. I understand that it was not uncommon for service men to transfer in this way at that time.
I have been unable to find any records of the 7th Dragoon Guards or the Cape Mounted Riflemen. There is a suggestion the the NA holds records for the CMR but my efforts have revealed nothing yet.
Can anyone help me, please?
Many thanks.
David.

[nelmit]

Hello and welcome to Talking Scot David

Your post led me on an interesting journey into the life of William.

Unfortunately I haven't come up with anything concrete about David.

There are a couple of snippets in the newspapers.

In April 1852 there is a mention of a Lieutenant Smith of the Cape Mounted Rifles serving in the Kaffir War.

One newspaper report on William's death states 'his father had served for several years in the 7th Dragoon Guards' and 'his Grandfather held a commission in the 78th Highlanders'. There is a Lieutenant W J J Smith of the 78th Highlanders serving in India in 1845.
Lieutenant William Smith (grandfather of William Alexander Smith) died in 1845. His will and inventory can be viewed at Scotlands People - maybe it would give you some clues.

I see David with his family at Thurso in 1841 but not in 1851 so maybe he was abroad. His wife is a widow in 1871.

Hopefully Alan will come up with more but at the moment that's the best I've been able to find.

Regards,
Annette

[Currie]

Just some odds and ends.

Edinburgh Gazette entries between 1853 and 1859 have David Smith of Pennyland as a Farmer. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notice ... ge-size=10

On about the 17th page from the front of this book it says:
http://1stklbb.org.my/wp-content/upload ... eacock.pdf

“His father, David Smith, served as an officer in the Dragoon Guards, but early retired in favour of a business career, later satisfying his martial instincts by joining the Caithness Volunteers, in which he held the rank of major.” It goes on to say that David Smith died in China when William was age 13.

There's an entry in the The Dundee Courier & Argus, Thursday, March 05, 1868.
“At Swatow, China, on the 6th January, David Smith, Esq., late of Pennyland, Thurso.”

This book says much the same but adds that he served as ensign in the 7th DGs in the Kaffir War of 1849-50. http://2ndklbb.org/ebooks/William%20Ale ... Gibbon.pdf

Did they have Ensigns in Cavalry regiments, or were junior officers Cornets?

The Scotsman, 16 Oct 1860
THURSO.-- The Thurso Rifle and Artillery Corps were reviewed by the Earl of Caithness on Saturday last in a field near the town, granted for the occasion by Lieutenant Smith of Pennyland.

All the best,
Alan

[DavidBB]

Thank you so much for those replies. They have pointed me in some new directions for the new year.
I shall keep you all posted about any further information I discover, but if you find any more information I shall be delighted to learn about it.
I hope you all have a very happy and blessed 2015.
With my best wishes.
David

[DavidBB]

Good evening Annette.
In your post you refer to a newspaper report in April 1853 of a Lt. Smith of the Cape Mounted Volunteers serving in the Kaffir Wars. COUld you let me know which newspaper this i mentioned in and where I can view it?
Many thanks for your help with this.
Best wishes.
David.

[DavidBB]

Good morning Alan.
I have checked the John o' Groat Journal for October 1860 and there is a fascinating account of the review of the Volunteers on Pennyland. It really brings to life what things must have been like for a young William Alexander Smith at the time. The article refers to a photograph having been taken of the Volunteers at the battery. Would you have any idea if this photograph still exists and where I can view it?
Many thanks and best wishes.
David

[AndrewP]

The article refers to a photograph having been taken of the Volunteers at the battery.
Would you have any idea if this photograph still exists and where I can view it?

Hi David,

A place to ask would be the Caithness Archive Centre in Wick.

• http://www.highlandarchives.org.uk/caithness.asp

A book that may be of interest to you:

• William A. Smith of the Boys' Brigade

All the best,

AndrewP

[DavidBB]

Thanks Andrew.

I have emailed and will await their reply. I have the book that refer to. The great advantage that we have today is that is so much material accessible to us, so that we can try to bring these books up to date. That is what I would like to be able to do, so that people can see the fascinating background to Sir William's family life, and what life was like in Thurso in the 1850s and 1860s. I am sure that I will learn so much more about the life of Thurso and Caithness generally at the time the more I delve into it, and the help of people with knowledge of the history will be invaluable.

I don't know if you have ever heard of the wreck of the "Henry Pochard" off the nearby coast dusting the 1850s and 1860s. It is said that Sir William had a memory of the rescued crew sheltering in their house, and of the mascot form the prow being presented to the family. I Have an old photo of Pennyland House which shows the figure, but I can find no reference to the particular wreck in any records. A mystery!!

Many thanks again for your help and interest.

Best wishes

David

[AndrewP]

Hi David,

The only online reference that I can find of the "Henry Pochard" shipwreck by Pennyland is in the William A Smith book (see page 3 of the pdf linked-to below).

pdf version of William A Smith by F P Gibbon

Another possibility for you to try (if you have not already done so) is the forum of Caithness.org.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Currie]

Hello David,

The barque's name was Henry Porcher. See The Glasgow Herald, Oct 13, 1858. (towards bottom of Scotland column.)
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l2 ... %2C3518185

The name of the barque was reported as the Henry poacher in many newspapers. It seems the captain shot himself about a month before the wreck.

Henry Porcher is the correct name as per Lloyd's Register. https://books.google.com.au/books?id=gU ... ng&f=false

All the best,
Alan