27585: Malcolm Smith

Malcolm (1783-1867) was a son of John Smith believed to be from Kneep. He was a Blacksmith and had a Smithy in Enaclete.

He married Marion Campbell from Enaclete. The couple lived at 3 Enaclete and later moved to 9 Enaclete. Malcolm and Marion had ten children.

In 1855 the family emigrated to Canda and settled at Winslow, Quebec.

According to oral tradition, Malcolm was an Old Soldier, having enlisted in the 78th Regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders, in 1793. He served at Maida and Java, and was honourably discharged in 1814. His long service entitled him to a pension. He was presented with the Military General Service Medal in 1848 which went with him to Canada, a photograph of it is held by Uig Historical Society.

Malcolm was said to have had an argumentative streak, and according to James Shaw Grant, he would clinch a dispute with the words:

Cha robh thu riamh an Java.

You were never in Java.

Malcolm's grandson Murdo Smith returned to visit Uig in 1918 while serving in Europe with the Canadians.