The Scottish War Memorials Project

gourdongirl

Brass plaque found in Whitekirk Church East Lothian.

Adam Brown · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:48 am Post subject:

Sacred to the Memory of
Major William Arthur Baird of the 42nd Highlanders
Who was twice severely wounded at Amoaful in Ashanti on the
31st January 1874
and who died on the passage home and was buried at Sierra Leone

This tablet is to replace one in marble destroyed by fire in this church in 1913
"Erected by his brother officers who deplored his loss"

Major Baird was one of nine officers serving with the 42nd Highlanders at Amoaful (now in Ghana) who were wounded in the battle.

This website lists his wounds:

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/ashanti/1st_february_1874.htm

Brevet Major W. Baird, gunshot wound of left thigh, dangerous; ditto of right leg, severe; ditto of right forearm and back, slight.

And from the same webpage “…Nothing could have exceeded the admirable conduct of the 42nd Highlanders, on whom fell the hardest share of the work…”
_________________
Scottish Monuments & Memorials