Eye on Millig: Tracing the Boer War clocks given to Burgh men

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ANOTHER of the carriage clocks presented to Helensburgh men who served in the Boer War was taken to Canada.

Owner Bernie Butler, an ex-pat Brit now living in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, wants to find out more about the man who received it, Lance Sergeant John McNicol.

He tells me that he has been looking for information since he spotted the clock in an antique shop in Arundel in Sussex during a trip back to the UK 20 years ago.

“I immediately fell in love with the clock, which appeared to have been cleaned and overhauled, and I purchased it for what I considered a rather high price at the time,” he said.

“Alas the carrying case was no longer with it, which is often the case with car-riage clocks. I brought it back with me to Canada and it has been running ever since and keeps excellent time.

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“When I first obtained the clock I tried unsuccessfully to find out more about the recipient and in fact talked to the curator of the Helensburgh Library, who was unable to provide any information at all, which I thought very strange!

“She assured me that she had no knowledge at all of anyone ever receiving a presentation clock at any time.

“The internet at that time provided nothing useful in the way of information, so I simply carried on enjoying the clock.

“Recently I was visiting an old friend in the interior of British Columbia, who as an ex-soldier himself has always been interested in the South African campaign, and we discussed it.

“On my return I decided to try again and came upon the Helensburgh Heritage Trust website which has an account of the presentation of the clocks. You can imagine my delight when I found the website.”

Bernie wonders if any family members are still living, despite the clock having been sold, and both he and the Heritage Trust would like to know more about the Lance Sergeant.

He added: “I have enjoyed the clock for many years, but now would like it to go to someone who would also cherish it and preferably have some connection to the original recipient or the regiment.”

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Information about two of the clocks presented to Helensburgh men who gave patriotic service in the Boer War from 1899 to 1901 first came to my attention in 2012.

Poor logistics and disease made the South African campaign a tough one for the British soldier, men often having to go without basics such as food and water, and enteric fever - which killed many thousands - was a constant drain on manpower.

This combined with having to fight a guerrilla war against a disciplined and capable enemy made it a very hard campaign. The Boer were excellent horsemen and marksmen.

This was recognised at home, so when the Volunteers, Yeomanry and sharp-shooters came back from the war they were given a reception in the Victoria Hall in June 1901 by the Provost, Colonel William Anderson, and the Magistrates.

Most of the 22 local soldiers who took part in the conflict were present in uniform, but some of them were still in South Africa.

A large gathering of local people attended, and tea was served before the Provost, local dignitaries and the soldiers made their way to the stage.

The Provost said that after making allowances for the very natural taste youth had for adventure, he thought these men had been actuated by the best motives, the most patriotic motives possible, in offering themselves in a dark hour to give their services for their country and their Sovereign.

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He said: “They answered the first call of duty. They knew that dangers would have to be met, that hardships would have to be endured. These dangers they had met, and they met bravely as they knew.”

The Provost said that a carriage clock, a sample of which was on the platform, would be sent to each of them. In fact they were presented personally at a ceremony in the Municipal Buildings in November of that year. Two Sergeants replied, and three cheers were given for those still in South Africa.

The clock, which cost ten guineas, was made by Elkington & Co. of London of oxidised silver and brass. Above the dial is the burgh coat of arms, with South Africa and 1899-1901 on either side. At the foot of the dial is an Argyll and Sutherland Highlander, a field gun, and an Imperial Yeoman.

The local officer and the NCOs who served in the campaign were Lieutenant J.Maxwell Gillatt, Sergeant Farrier William Neilson, Sergeant Daniel L.Porter, Lance Sergeant John McNicol, Corporal John Hamilton, Corporal A.A.Stuart Black, and Corporal George S.Maughan.

The others were Farrier Peter McDougall, Farrier John McBride, Trooper John W.McCulloch, Trooper Robert B.McGregor, Trooper W.Young Cruickshank, Trooper Alex McMillan, Farrier R.Martin, Trooper James F.Neilson, Trooper John Blackwood, Trooper James Alexander, Private Robert Alexander, Private William McKinlay, Private James Sweeny, Private Alfred Gilchrist, and Private William Stirling.

In 2012 Richard Johnson from Edenbridge in Kent got in touch to say that he was researching the history of the clock presented to Private McKinlay.

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“This fine antique clock turned up at our local antique shop,” he said. “I dabble, no more, in some military research and, because I find it interesting, I agreed to help if I could.

“I think the main area of interest revolves around the fact that such a fine clock was presented to a Private. He must have been very highly regarded locally.”

Private McKinlay’s clock was in pristine condition and was on sale at the Edinbridge shop at £5,650. In April 2013 it was bought by the Heritage Trust for £5,000 with the help of a donation from an anonymous benefactor.

William McKinlay was born on October 5 1880 at 32 John Street, Helensburgh, the eldest child of master plumber Thomas McKinlay and his wife Janet, nee Hogg, who were married earlier that year in Luss.

The couple had eight children, William, Catherine, Elizabeth, Marion, Jessie, Thomas, Williamina, and James.

Nothing is known of William’s life until he enrolled in the 1st Dumbarton Rifle Volunteers, and then in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders with whom he served in the Boer War.

When he returned he followed his father in becoming a plumber, and in 1908, at the age of 27, he enlisted in the 9th (Dumbarton) Territorial Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, taking the Oath of Allegiance in Helensburgh on April 23, 1908.

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On February 8, 1916 at 19 Howard Street, Glasgow, William, still of 13 East Clyde Street and then aged 35, married domestic servant Alexina Cryle, aged 30, who worked at Hapland, Charlotte Street, by Declaration from the Sheriff Substitute of Lanarkshire, in the presence of his brother, shipping clerk Thomas McKinlay, and Jeanie Maxwell.

On the marriage certificate his occupation was given as journeyman plumber and Piper, 1/9th Battalion of the Argylls. His bride was the daughter of deceased Aberdeen freestone quarrymaster and farmer William Cryle.

They had a daughter, Alexina Cryle McKinlay, in 1918, but it is not known whether they had any more children.

William, who had become a Town Council gas surveyor and a Pipe Major, died of cerebral thrombosis at his then home at 68 West Princes Street on January 23, 1955, aged 74. His widow died in Insch, Aberdeen, in 1963 at the age of 77.

A brief obituary in the Helensburgh and Gareloch Times stated: “Mr McKinlay was of a quiet, unassuming disposition and highly esteemed by his many friends.

“He was a faithful attender at all the reunions of his old battalion, at which he frequently played selections on the pipes.”

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Information about the second clock came from Mrs Mairi Gallagher in Rhu. There is damage to the face of her clock and it would not be so valuable.

She said: “It was presented to my great grandmother’s brother, John West-wood McCulloch, and it is on my mantelpiece and still works!

“His father was William Lawrie McCulloch, a painter and decorator, who lived at a house called Locheil which is at the bottom of Suffolk Street. The firm remained in the family and carried on in the town for many years.

“His grandfather was John Westwood McCulloch, who was the local police commissioner. He lived in a house called Greenhouse next to the home of Lady Augusta Clavering on West Clyde Street.”

The story had a sad ending. Another relative, David Walker Coutts, died in South Africa about 1900, while Trooper McCulloch died at home in 1906 at the age of 30, having never married.

Mairi added: “The family story is that he was traumatised by the war and was never the same when he came home.”

Lieutenant Maxwell Gillatt’s successful military career is also recorded on the Heritage Trust website, but information would be welcomed about Lance Sergeant McNicol and the 17 others.

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* Email your suggestions for historical Helensburgh and Lomond topics that could be covered in future Eye on Millig articles to milligeye@btinternet.com.