NAISMITH, WILLIAM JOHN, Captain, was
born 8 September 1847. He was MD Edinburgh, and FRCS Edinburgh, and served
in South Africa, 1900-2, with the Imperial Yeomanry. He was present at
operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900; operations in Orange River
Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at Wittebergen, Witpoort,
Bothaville and Caledon River; operations in Orange River Colony 30 November
1900 to February 1901, and March 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations in Cape
Colony, February to March 1901, and September 1901. He was mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal
with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "William John Naismith, Captain (Medical Officer), 6th Battalion
Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in
South Africa". He also received the Territorial Decoration in 1902. He
became Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel, Ayrshire Imperial Yeomanry, and Medical
Officer, 6th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. Lieutenant Colonel Naismith was
appointed Surgeon, HM Prison of Ayr, Ayr Industrial Schools and Ayrshire
County Constabulary. He married, in 1890, Edith Mary, youngest daughter of
W R Sanders, MD, FRCPE, Professor of Pathology in the University of
Edinburgh, and they had one son and two daughters.
