TOPIC:

The funeral took place this afternoon from the hospital, Edinburgh Castle, of the late Sergeant-Major M'Cann, of the transport branch of the Army Service Corps. Full military honours were accorded, every unit of the service in the city being represented, and men from the various sections of the Army Service Corps from Aldershot, Curragh, Stobs, and Glasgow also attended. The firing party was provided by the Black Watch. A gun carriage and horses were supplied by the Stobs detachment of the Army Service Corps, and the bands were the pipers from the Black Watch and the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band. The procession left the Castle about 2.30, and marched to Mount Vernon Cemetery, Newington, where the interment took place. A large crowd assembled on the Esplanade to witness the start, and all along the route great attention was attracted by the cortege. There was a large number of wreaths on the coffin and following in a cab behind, the most conspicuous of which was a large floral crown which surmounted the gun-carriage. Sergeant-Major M'Cann, who leaves a widow and two children, had been in Edinburgh for eight months, and was for over twenty-five years a member of the corps. He saw service in South Africa in 1879, and was also present in Ladysmith during the siege in the late Boer War. He held the King's and Queen's medals with several clasps.

Edinburgh Evening News, Thursday 25th August 1904

Possibly William McCann, aged 43.

A brief look at both WO100/47 and WO100213 suggests a certain T1923 W McCann who was present at Ladysmith during the awful siege, interestingly started soldiering on Campaign as a Bugler twenty years earlier in 1879, to be your man

BereniceUK wrote:

MILITARY FUNERAL FROM EDINBURGH CASTLE.

The funeral took place this afternoon from the hospital, Edinburgh Castle, of the late Sergeant-Major M'Cann, of the transport branch of the Army Service Corps. Full military honours were accorded, every unit of the service in the city being represented, and men from the various sections of the Army Service Corps from Aldershot, Curragh, Stobs, and Glasgow also attended. The firing party was provided by the Black Watch. A gun carriage and horses were supplied by the Stobs detachment of the Army Service Corps, and the bands were the pipers from the Black Watch and the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band. The procession left the Castle about 2.30, and marched to mount Vernon Cemetery, Newington, where the interment took place. A large crowd assembled on the Esplanade to witness the start, and all along the route great attention was attracted by the cortege. There was a large number of wreaths on the coffin and following in a cab behind, the most conspicuous of which was a large floral crown which surmounted the gun-carriage. Sergeant-Major M'Cann, who leaves a widow and two children, had been in Edinburgh for eight months, and was for over twenty-five years a member of the corps. He saw service in South Africa in 1879, and was also present in Ladysmith during the siege in the late Boer War. He held the King's and Queen's medals with several clasps.

Edinburgh Evening News, Thursday 25th August 1904

Possibly William McCann, aged 43.

Frank Kelley wrote: A brief look at both WO100/47 and WO100213 suggests a certain T1923 W McCann who was present at Ladysmith during the awful siege, interestingly started soldiering on Campaign as a Bugler twenty years earlier in 1879, to be your man.

And another man who is said to have served in both South African campaigns.

HI Berenice,

I am researching my ancestry and I have come across this article for which I have the original newspaper cutting. W McCann was my great grandfather.
Should you have any further information on his time spent during the Boer War I would be very grateful. His son, my grandfather, (also William McCann) was born on Aldershot Barracks in 1891. HIs Father James was in the Crimean War 1855 and worte several letters home about being treated by Florence Nightingale.
I appreciate this might not reach you after so much time has elapsed on this thread but any historical references to Sgt Major W McCann Army service Corps is more than welcome.
Warm regards
Alec McCann

Hello Alec
Welcome to the forum.
Our learned forum colleague Berenice has not been present on the forum for quite sometime and is sorely missed.
With reference to your question regarding your Great Grandfather and his military service.
The attachment is his medal roll entries whilst serving in 1879 as a bugler and 1899 as a Sergeant Major. Regimental number 1923. The roll lists can be accessed through your Ancestry account. I will try and find more details if available.


Best regards

Dave....

For your records.





Medals awarded. South Africa General Service ref 1879.

Queens South Africa medal 4 clasps Defence of Ladysmith, Laings Nek, Belfast and Orange Free State, 1899 - 1902

Kings South Africa medal. 2 date clasps 1901- 1902
It may be beneficial for you to delve a little deeper into the clasp history of your G Grandfather QSA. There are accounts pertaining to the seige of Ladysmith , Laings Nek and Belfast.