Hello Moo
I had a quick look on FindMyPast for a service record, but couldn't see one right away - more diligent searching might turn something up. He is returned on the
1871 British Army Worldwide Index, though transcribed as William Middlemass, located at Jullundur in India (at Dalhousie, India, in April 1871).
He's on the 92nd Afghan War Medal Roll as William Middlemist - no.1178, awarded 3 clasps, for Charasia, Kabul and Kandahar, and for the Kabul-Kandahar Bronze Star.
He also appears on the casualty roll (as Middlemas) - 'sl w [slight wound], 25 Apr 1880, Charasiah, gs [gun shot] contusion right breast'.
Note the date - that's not the battle of Charasia for which he won his clasp (which was on 6th Oct 1879), but during an excursion the following year out to Childukhtean, about 3 miles beyond Charasia, where the 92nd were surrounded and had to fight until reinforcements arrived from Kabul. (The 92nd had separate wings in the initial excursion and the reinforcements, so I'm not sure which William was involved with).
A search of the newspapers turns up a mention of him in the
Southern Reporter of 16 Feb 1882 ('Return of Jedburgh Soldiers from Foreign Service') and a rather nice obituary for him in the
Jedburgh Gazette, 2 Dec 1905 (transcribed below).
As for photos - he was a Private, so he doesn't appear in the interesting photo of Sergeants of the 92nd Foot in Afghanistan in Gardyne's
'Life of a Regiment'. It might be worth
contacting the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen.
Hope this is some help!
Best - Garen
Jedburgh Gazette, 2 Dec 1905DEATH OF A JEDBUROH SOLDIER — Mr William Middlemist, a native of Jedburgh, who has passed through stirring experiences as a soldier in the British army, died on Sunday at Hawick, where he had resided for a number of years. He was the youngest son of the late Mr Andrew Middlemist, basketmaker, Castlegate, Jedburgh, who did a large trade in Galashiels with the manufacturers, brewers, grocers and others there forty years ago. This soldier son enlisted along with two or three other Jedburgh lads about the sixties. He joined the Gordon Highlanders, and his service extended over a long period. He was in India for twenty years, and took part, under Lord Roberts, in the famous march from Cabul to Candahar. Other Jedburgh men passed through that arduous trial of endurance and pluck. In connection with the Afghan campaign, Middlemist was wont to relate that he was alongside Captain Dick Cunnynhame when a conspicuous act of bravery was accomplished, which gained the Victoria Cross for the Captain [this is Captain William Henry Dick-Cunyngham]. When his regiment was about to leave for home they were ordered to South Africa, and Middlemist took part in the disastrous affair at Majuba Hill. He witnessed the death of General Colley, and related how, when the ammunition of the small band of the British soldiers gave out on the hill, they attacked the Boers with meat cans and other missiles. He was made prisoner with the others at that time, and he ever afterwards deeply regretted that the Boers should have robbed him of all the money he possessed. Middlemist was a fine soldierly man in appearance and manner, and his good conduct decorations bore testimony to his qualities. When he retired from the army with a pension, he returned to Jedburgh, and stayed here for some time. He then removed to Hawick, where he thereafter resided. When Lord Roberts was in Hawick at the unveiling of the memorial to soldiers who fell in the South African war he had a long conversation with the Jedburgh veteran, who wore the medals he had received in recognition of his services. Middlemist is survived by a widow and one son. He has many relatives in Jedburgh. It may be of interest to say that Mr Andrew Storey, Bonjedward is one of the Jedburgh men who passed through the perils and endured the hardships of the Afghan campaign [Andrew Storrie on the medal roll, he died in 1921].
Good Evening
I have just found in my husbands tree a
William Middlemist
Service Date: 1878-1880
Service Place: Afghanistan
Campaign or Service: Second Afghan War
Regiment or Unit Name: 2nd Battalion The Gordon Highlanders
Regimental Number: 1178
Where may I find other information regarding William, and would it be possible that some where there may be of photo of him.
Regards
Moo
