1878 : More History - Any Answers?

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
23/12/2008 21:12

Whilst in Kyrenia last month,I noticed a lot of graves belonging to the Scottish Guards,and the cemetary gates had been donated by the regiment. Does anyone what happened to the soldiers,and were the events repeated up to 1939? Cheers anyone,Steve

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
23/12/2008 22:51

To my information,there are graves belonging to members of 42nd Royal Highland Regiment (The Black Watch after 1881)

These men died from fever shortly after their arrival to Cyprus in 1878.

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
23/12/2008 23:07

Thanks,Iceman,you are right they were the black Watch - it makes sense to ,because I understand that there were many swampy areas that mosquitoes could breed in - I understand the brits used to pour oil on swampy areas in Corfu for the same reason. Thanks again for that,Steve

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 00:48

You've got to feel sorry for the Jocks after coming ashore. Considering the kind of weather conditions they would have been used to back home and the fact they would have been wearing eight-yard woollen kilts, heat apoplexy is not surprising.



Lest we forget...

Blackpoolfan


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1568

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 02:20

apoplexy !! captain birds eye has eaten a dictionary again

Tatlisu4me


Joined: 26/01/2008
Posts: 436

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 11:22

Blackpoolfan. That was not called for due to the sensitivity of the Post.

Blackpoolfan


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1568

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 11:43

tatlisu,

Lighten up nothing to do with the posting but you talk of sensitivity i have a few scottish friends if they were referred to as "jocks" as per message 4 then you are likely to receive a glasgow kiss between the eyes as that is deemed offensive to the majority of scottish people!!

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:10

Blackpoolfan: "apoplexy !! captain birds eye has eaten a dictionary again"



You must be very new to Cyprus and have much to learn. Otherwise you might have been to the grave of Sgt Samuel McGaw, VC, in Kyrenia and seen by the inscription that he died of "heat apoplexy" on the march from Larnaka.



Sgt McGaw is still regarded as a hero and one of our finest sons in my home town where he came from, and as a fellow Ayrshireman a visit his grave, thousands of miles from home - whenever I can.



You are also clearly ignorant of the fact that Scottish soldiers have proudly called themselves "Jocks" throughout history and consider the name a badge of honour.



Not at all like "ignorant fool", for example.

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:11

And for our serious members who would like to know a bit more about Sergeant Samuel McGaw, Victoria Cross:



http://www.maybole.org/community/kirkmichael/sergeant_samuel_mcgaw.htm

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:47

In the book "Our Home in Cyprus" the author Esmé Scott-Stevenson clearly describes the medical difficulties the 42nd RH Regiment was subjeted to after their arrival..



Esmé Scott-Stevenson was the wife of Captain Andrew Scott-Stevenson,Commander of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment in Cyprus at the time.



Captain Andrew Scott-Stevenson later on became the first Civil Commisioner of Kyrenia.



"Our Home in Cyprus" is an excellent book describing life in Cyprus (specially Kyrenia region) back in 1880..

Blackpoolfan


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1568

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:50

Pte Pike,

Your knowledge is astounding, unlike your spelling, your posts are boring drivel you are as interesting as piles. As for the ignorant fool comment i would love to catch up for a chat on my next visit perhaps you would like to repeat your comments in person.

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:54

iceman,



Is the book you mention easily available as far as you know?

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 12:57

Blackpoolfan,



Gosh, you sound hunky and exciting! And a social worker too! I love them. Will you take me out next time you are over?



Crikey, I can hardly wait!

Tatlisu4me


Joined: 26/01/2008
Posts: 436

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:14

Looks like were having a beer together then !!

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:19

PtePike

To my knowledge the book "Our Home in Cyprus" by Esmé Scott-Stevenson is not available to buy anywhere..

I tried sourcing it on the internet but all i could get on google was some online library links..

The book was published in 1881 and only remaining copies are in libraries and museums.



There is a copy of this book in Kyrenia National Archives and i have copies of the scanned pages on a file.

If you don't mind reading the whole book on computer screen,drop me a line next time you are on the island.I'll make you a copy on a CD.

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:38

I have uploaded chapter six of the book for those interested.



http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/3/12/24/f_DSC01269m_393cc5e.jpg

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/3/12/24/f_DSC01270m_4a6fb9a.jpg

http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/3/12/24/f_DSC01271m_35b3bc9.jpg

http://img19.picoodle.com/img/img19/3/12/24/f_DSC01272m_41f3f37.jpg

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/3/12/24/f_DSC01273m_fd63450.jpg

http://img19.picoodle.com/img/img19/3/12/24/f_DSC01274m_478933f.jpg

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:46

Muz,



That's brilliant. Thanks for doing that and I'll give you a bell.



C

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:48

Forgive me if I'm wrong but doesn't 'apoplexya ' mean 'Stroke'?

japeal



Joined: 12/09/2008
Posts: 1052

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 13:57

Iceman/PtePike



Just checked http://www.amazon.co.uk, book available



John

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 14:07

Britvic,

Perhaps in that case 'heat apoplexia' simply means 'heat stroke'...

I don't know whether medical diagnoses where as precise then, or whether it might just be a simplification.

Keith.

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 14:50

japeal

Thanx for that....will try to order a copy a.s.a.p.

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 15:09

Msg 20, that seems a logical explanation.

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 15:11

Dear Iceman/Pte Pike - interesting information Sgt Mc Gaw sounds a "character" indeed. I didn't actually see his grave,but noticed the privates in your photograph. I wonder if there are any other VC's buried on Cyprus?



As you know VC's are a rare event,and 4 can be seen at Townely Hall in Burnley;including a IWW private,who saved his mates by falling on a grenade accidently dropped in the trench - Ian Hislop took the TV cameras to the hall,as there is a large famous painting of the soldier hanging on the wall. These explorations/knowledge/information speading is the true value of BB's and and enhance the future visits to the island.Kind regards to all,Steve

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
24/12/2008 17:39

Steve,



As far as I know McGaw is the only VC buried in Cyprus. He sounds quite a character as you say, being busted from NCO to private several times and being promoted again before ending up a sergeant and winning the VC. His little-known story would make a good mini book or film.

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
25/12/2008 00:47

Dear Pikey,you're right - these soldiers do merit more research;maybe I'll write to Hislop or Clarkson,who have both done VC series.

Just a bye the way,Russian guns were captured by Captain Scarlett(of Burnley),not the puppet, who lead the Heavy Brigade before the Light Brigade at Balaclava. His sword,tunic etc are displayed at the hall;and there was a full display of the battlefield until some plonker dropped it.

There used to be similar displays of Gallipoli,but these were removed,I think because the powers that be thought that they were too distant a memory - even though many men of the East Lancs regiment lost many men. I dont think the turks hold any grudges against us;as I think the brits dont hold any for turks siding with the germans in 1WW - it proves that hatchets can be buried,and it is through mistakes in history that hopefully progress can be made in the future. kind regards to all,Steve