Copies of testimonials and
Correspondence
_________________________________
No. 1
Broomwood Park.
London 15th Feb. 1870.
Mr. J. Smithwick,
I perfectly recollect my having selected you for
duty with the Bhootan field force, and your
having held charge of the Field Go-down of the
Commissariat stores; a responsible office which
you filled much to the satisfaction of the
officer under whom you served, and I can also
testify to the high character you bore in the
Bengal Commissariat.
(Signed)
J. G. Macpherson C.B.
Major General
Late Comt. General, Bengal Army.
_________________________________
No. 2
Sub Conductor Smithwick Army Comt. Depart,
Bengal and formerly of the 70th Foot, served
under me for about 4/2 years. I found him at all
times a very valuable assistant, steady, honest,
and exact in the execution of any order issued
to him. He was attached to the Field Force under
Sir Neville Chamberlain K.C.B. for a long time
in 1863 & 1864, and was the only subordinate
with that Force whom I could trust and rely
upon. My confidence in him was well placed, for
no man could have worked harder, and more
concientiously [sic] than he did, while at the
same time under great difficulties, he gave
great satisfaction to all who came in contact
with him. I have regularly testified my opinion
of his merits and I will only add that I shall
always be glad to speak in his favour.
(Signed)
J. H. Jenkins, Major
Asst. Com. General
Darjeling.
Ext. Comt. office.
4th January 1869.
_________________________________
No. 3
I have known John Smithwick for more than Twenty
five (25) years many of which he served with me
in the 70th Regt. in which Corps he attained the
rank of Sergeant. He was subsequently appointed
to the Commissariat, as Sub Conductor. He also
lived with me for the last year and a half, and
leaves at his own request. He is a good, sober,
trustworthy man, willing and obliging, and I
need not say that I part with him with regret.
(Signed)
T. J. Galloway, Lt. Gen.
Late Lt. Col. 70th Regt.
Craigmichael
Innellan.
11th Nov. 1873.
_________________________________
No. 4
Sub conductor John Smithwick being about to
proceed to England, after a service of upward of
22 years of which more than 19 years have been
passed in India, I have much pleasure in
testifying to his good character and zeal in the
performance of his duties during the time I have
been in Executive charge of the Kussonlie
Commissariat. Mr. Smithwick has been employed at
Kalka in charge of the "Go-downs" and
"SlaughterCattle" and he has performed
his duties to my entire satisfaction. I believe
Mr. Smithwick to be an honest, bright, forward
good solider, and should he wish for employment
in his native country, I trust this certificate
will be of use to him.
(Signed)
H. A. Taylor, Major
Dep. Asst. Comt. General
Kussonlie.
24th Nov. 1868.
_________________________________
No. 5
Sub conductor John Smithwick served under me
throughout the operations on the Euzofizie
frontier in 1863 & 64; was in charge of the
Godown with the Main Force, and worked in a
manner which I have never seen equalled. My
various knowledge of his character induced me to
select him, and he proved himself in every
respect a most efficient and trustworthy
assistance. In fact as regards the Advance
Column, he was practically the only subordinate
I had.
(Signed)
J. H. Jenkins, Major
Asst. Comt. General
Kalka.
24th Nov. 1863
_________________________________
No. 6
Ext. Comt. Office
Gowhatty 24th March 1866.
Mr. Sub Conductor Smithwick has served under me
in Assam about 5 months, and has been in charge
of the North Gowhatty Go-down. He had extremely
responsible and hard work to perform the whole
of the time, in receiving and despatching
stores, and I have great pleasure in testifying
to his assiduity and attention. He has beaved
extremely well and done hs duties most
satisfactorily, and has proved himself an
excellent Warrant Officer.
(Signed)
T. Holland, Major
Dep. Asst. Comt. General
_________________________________
No. 7
Dugshaie. 11th Oct. 1865.
Sergt. Smithwick,
If any certificate of mine can possibly be of
any use to you, I am only too happy to give it
to you. I can safely say that since you have
been attached to the 101st Regt. you have given
everybody satisfaction, more especially during
the time we were on service in the Umbeyla Pass,
where to do this was anything but an easy
matter, for the difficulties the Commissariat
had to contend with were well known to
everybody. Yet I never heard of a single
complaint from any man, when we were all
perfectly ready to grumble, at the want of
anything, and this I believe was owing to the
great care you took in looking after our
interests in the Comt. Department.
Your experience at Umbeyla will I am sure be of
use to you in the Bhootan Country, and I wish
you every success in the campaign.
(Signed)
J. G. Patridge
Lieut & Adjutant. 101st Regt.
_________________________________
No. 8
Sergt. John Smithwick, Comt. Depart. has been
attached to the 101st Regt. for a long time
& leaves now to my great regret, having been
orderd to proceed to Calcutta to take another
appointment. I have great pleasure in testifying
of the zeal which has always been displayed by
Sergt. Smithwick in the performance of his
duties. No suggestion or request has ever passed
unnoticed, and on service at Umbeyla, as well as
in Cantonments, he has at all times exerted
himself to the utmost, to do everything for the
care and comfort of the Regt., and to keep the
natives up to their work. Sergt. Smithwick is a
straightforward honest good soldier and knows
how to perform his duty. I am exceedingly sorry
to lose him, but I think he leaves the 101st
Regt. for his own advantage. He is deserving of
great consideration, and all I have said is
nothing more than his due.
(Signed)
Fred Salisbury C.B.
Lieut. Col. Commanding
101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers
Dugshaie.
18th Oct. 1865.
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