Private Duncan Millar
Born: Kilmarnock, June 1831.
Died: 15th July 1881,
Grave: 1 Anderson Burial Ground Glasgow, 2 St. Kentigerns Cemetery Glasgow.
Location of VC: Scottish United Services Museum Edinburgh.
Date of Act of Bravery: January 15th 1859
London Gazette: 18th June 1859
Private Walter Cook
No information currently available.
Citation: In the Action at Maylah Ghaut on 15th January 1859, Brigadier General Walpole reports that the conduct of Privates Cook and Millar deserves to be particularly pointed out. At the time the fight was the severest and the few men of the 42nd Regiment were skirmishing so close to the enemy who were in great numbers, that some of the men were wounded by sword cuts and the only officer of the 42nd was carried to the rear, severely wounded and the Colour Sgt was killed, these soldiers went to the front and took a prominent part in directing the Company and displayed a courage and coolness and discipline which was the admiration of all who witnessed it.
Historical Background: Captain John Lawson commanding No. 6 company, had been sent to guard part of the river boarder between Rohilkand and Oudh. The land rose steeply from the river in a series of bluffs broken by the occasional gap. Lawson's Company was opposite an opening called Maylem Ghat. He had thirty-seven men at his disposal when on January 15th 1859 a force of 2000 rebels crossed the river. When they attacked Lawson was fatally wounded and all of the NCOs were also killed. It was at this point that Cook and Millar took over the direction of the Company. They held off the attack until evening when reinforcements arrived. The survivors were paraded before Sir Hugh Rose who had succeeded Sir Colin Campbell as Commander in Chief when he presented new colours to the Regiment. The pipe tune "Lawson's Men" still commemorates their long brave day.
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