3-065-820 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Major Baird, 42nd Highlanders, 1874. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. A. Bassano. 'Major William Arthur Baird of the 42nd Highlanders...died on board the hospital-ship Victor Emmanuel, at Sierra Leone..., from a disease contracted some time ago, but complicated with other disorders, caused by the West African climate. He had also been weakened by the effects of a wound at the battle of Amoaful, on Jan. 31. Major Baird served in the Crimea from July, 1854, through the siege of Sebastopol, for which he received the medal, with clasp. He served also in the campaign of 1857 and 1858, against the mutineers in India, including the actions of Kudjgunge and Shurushabad, the siege and capture of Lucknow, the attack on the fort of Roshea, the action at Allygung, and the attack and capture of Bareilly..."He was buried on shore, at Sierra Leone," says one who knew him, "with all military honours and every mark of respect that could be shown to one whose patience and fortitude, under much suffering, would alone have won admiration and regard had not the soldier-like fate of an officer, with the distressing circumstance of being far from home and his regiment, ensured the sympathy, regret, and respect of all".' From "Illustrated London News", 1874.