Description
Queen’s Mediterranean Medal, 5572 Drummer James McMurrough, 3rd Militia Bn Seaforth Highlanders, a scarce Musician Medal, also played the Tenor Horn and Violin.
Officially impressed: “5572 Dmr: J. McMurrough. Seaforth Highrs”
Confirmed on the medal roll. One of only 7 Drummers in the battalion to earn the medal.
During the Boer War, the “Queen’s Mediterranean Medal” was born, due to the ongoing requirements of infantry being sent to fight in South Africa, many gaps had opened up around the globe, these were covered by the 8 Militia Battalions who received this medal.
Out of the 8, the only Scottish Unit was the Seaforth Highlanders who spent over a year in Egypt when earning this medal.
The Seaforths brought with them the Regimental Band, consisting of only about 10 men, Acting Bandmaster E.W. Wakelen, Sergeant Piper J. Sutherland, Sergeant Drummer A. Forbes and the 7 “Drummers” including young McMurrough.
Drummer James McMurrough was born in St Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Scotland circa 1881.
Having worked briefly as a Shoemaker, James signed on with the 3rd (Militia) Bn Seaforth Highlanders, on 8th April 1896.
He was only 15 years old at the time, standing about 5 foot tall, and weighing about 90 pounds.
Serving at home from 8th April 1896 until 13th February 1900.
The 3rd Seaforth got their opportunity to go overseas, arriving in Egypt on 14th February 1900, having been sent over on the Citadel
He remained there for 1 year and 117 days until he returned home about 11th June 1901, having returned back on the SS Dilwara.
James saw an unusual entry into the Militia, a detailed letter sent from Fort George, Inverness, dated 25th March 1896 recalls his enlistment:
“Sir, with reference to Paras 98 and 99 of the Militia Regulations, I have the honour to forward herewith a descriptive return of Boy James McMorough, who is proposed for enlistment in the Seaforth Highlanders, for the purpose of being posted as a Drummer to the battalion under my Command, to fill a vacancy on the Permanent Staff, there being no Drummer available for posting from the line Battalions.
This Boy, is at present an inmate of the United Industrial School, Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, and I am informed by the Superintendent of the School, that he, the Boy, will be available for enlistment on any day after the 27th Instant.
Will you, therefore be good enough to forward this application in order that the boy may be enlisted at Edinburgh and sent to the Depot at this station, with a view to being posted at once to the Battalion under my command, as it is desirable to have the establishment of Drummers complete at the Training, which commences on the 4th proximo.”
The Superintendent granted the application and sent the boy off from Edinburgh to Fort George in Inverness to being his service.
James was later discharged at Fort George on 7th April 1908, on termination of his 12 years of service.
His conduct was said to be: “Good – No offence during the last 3 years.”
His special qualifications expand on his musical capabilities: “Musician, plays the Althorn (aka Tenor Horn) and ‘Bass Violin’ “
However his Conduct Sheet shows why it was specified “during the last 3 years”.
Once arriving for service in Cairo, Egypt, he found his first entry:
Cairo, 12th June 1900, Case 1 of Drunkenness, Drunk in Clot Bey (a popular street in Cairo) about 10.15pm, sentenced to 5 days in the barracks.
Cairo, 17th March 1901 – Case 2 of Drunkenness, Drunk in Barracks about 9.40pm, for which he was “Admonished”.
Having returned home, at Montrose, 15th Feb 1905, Offence: Using obscene language to a Non Commissioned Officer, being Sergt Dr Wakelin, for which he was confined for 10 days.
Montrose, 17th Feb 1905, 3rd Case of Drunkenness, DRUNK parading at Tattoo when a defaulter, for this he already on thin ice as just 2 days ago he had been sentenced for obscene language. He was sentenced to 96 hours of imprisonment and hard labour with 7 days confinement.
After this he did improve until his discharge hence the “during the last 3 years mentioned”.
Following on from his discharge, he went on to live a very long life in Scotland.
He died many years later on 20th January 1971 in Inverness, being about 90 years old.
