Researching Individual Soldiers & Sailors - Your Findings?

[Hopeless Hero]

Hi Mark,
Sadly not, nor do we have any of the medals of his four sons. My Grandfather kept what memorabilia there was. He lived in a bedsit in Cathcart, Glasgow until his death in 1973. He suffered a long illness and during his absence, his home was 'cleared' by the Council, with many of the neighbours 'taking'' things that they claimed had been promised them by my Grandfather.
I do remember, as a young boy, sitting with him and listening to his stories as well as looking at old family photographs of Pipers and Servicemen. He too, played the pipes but failed to enlist because of health problems. He was tremendously proud of his heritage. Nothing remains except what appears to be a Military badge. Currently in the safekeeping of my uncle it is a very heavy, well worn silver brooch - possibly a plaid brooch - showing St Andrew with cross behind and a sphinx below. I'll have to give him a call and get more detail.
The other BAINs I will be researching are John Bain 4720, William Bain 57B/2370 and 3882, James and Alexander Bain who were both Pipers during the 1890's. Again, we have nothing and I am desperate for photographs of these five pipers. I can find photographs of the Piper Muir on the internet but nothing so far for Donald or his sons.

regards

Colin

[Mark]

Hi Colin

Sorry to hear the medals no longer reside in the family - this is sadly very common with many family members not knowing whatever happened to them.

However, it is always worth keeping an eye open for family medals on the market - i.e. medal dealers lists, eBay and other auctions. Not long ago I reunited a group of First World War medals to a family member who had thought them long gone. Needless to say she was over the moon to get them back in the family.

Surprisingly I also picked up (thanks to a sharp-eyed friend) an Indian Mutiny Medal to an ancestor of mine from a dealer over in Ireland. His medal now features in my showcase and above in this thread - Benjamin Simner.

Mark

[Hopeless Hero]

Mark,
I've never really considered looking for his medals in the dealerships. My greatest fear would be to find them and not be able to afford them but you've sparked my interest and I'll do what I can. Hopefully, I'll be as lucky as your good self.

Anyhoo, back to stuff Here's what I've gleaned about Donald Bain's most prestigious son William.

A native of Logie, Perthshire. Married at Milton church, Glasgow, 15th November 1867. Enlisted in the 42nd Royal Highlanders at Dundee in 1880 and appointed Piper 19th July 1881. Served with the 1st Battalion The Black Watch during the Egyptian Campaign of 1882, including the battle of Tel-El-Kebir.
Also served in the Soudan during 1884-1885, including the actions of El-Teb and Tamaai and in operations around the Upper Nile in 1885. Appointed Pipe-Major, 1st Battalion 6th May 1886. Foreign Service included Malta, Gibralter, South Africa and India with stations at Cape Town, Mauritius, Sitapur and Umbayla. Discharged by purchase on Malta, 11th September 1888. Re-enlisted, 16th May 1889.
Re-engaged in May 1889 to complete 21 years. Awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1900. Transfered to Permanent Staff, 5th Volunteer Battalion. Appointed Colour-Sergeant Instructor in 1901. Went out to South Africa wtih the 3rd Volunteer Service Company in 1902. Served in Cape Colony and Orange Free State. Served as Company Sergeant-Major with the 6th Battalion at Bridge of Allan during the Great War.
He composed 'The Black Watch March to Tamaai' and 'The 42nd's Farewell to Gibralter' and sat as Piping Judge at Strathallan competitions. The Pipe tune 'Pipe-Major Willie Bain of the 42nd' was written in his honour by Angus McLeod. Died at Dundee 19th March 1923.

Medal Entitlement

Egyptian War Medal ( 1882-1889 ) with clasps

Tel-El-Kebir
Suakin, 1884
El-Teb-Tamaai
The Nile 1884-1885
Kirkbekan

Queens South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 ) with clasps

Cape Colony
Orange Free State
South Africa 1902

( Colour-Sergeant 3882 on the 2nd Battalion Supplementary Roll )

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal ( Date of recommendation 1st January 1900 )

Khedive's Bronze Star*

* Most of the battles in the final years of British influence in Egypt were rewarded with issues of the Egyptian Medal, but the Egyptian Khedive Tewfik Pasha showed his gratitude for British help with issues of his own bronze star for the campaigns in his kingdom.
One of these, the siege and capture of the Mahdist stronghold of Tokar in the Sudan, was unusual in that no British award was made for it, although the Khedive's Star could be worn in uniform. Tokar had since 1883 been the seat of the Beja leader Usman Dinga, and the 1891 campaign resulted in his briefly being captured.

[C-1-8]

Good morning Colin,

Have you completed your research of Donald Bain? I don't have any further photographs to offer, but if you are still searching for further details especially of his funeral and burial; .. coffin carried from his home by four Colour-Sergeants, etc.
And .... placed on gun carriage, etc., I can still add to it. For many of the pipers in the book, I had further details, but because of limited space for each entry, I had to be very selective what I included. Let me know if I can help further.

Dick Crawford