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Copies of testimonials and Correspondence
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No. 1
Broomwood Park.
London 15th Feb. 1870.
Mr. J. Smithwick,
I perfectly recollect my having selected you for duty with the Bhootan field force, and your having held charge of the Field Go-down of the Commissariat stores; a responsible office which you filled much to the satisfaction of the officer under whom you served, and I can also testify to the high character you bore in the Bengal Commissariat.
(Signed)
J. G. Macpherson C.B.
Major General
Late Comt. General, Bengal Army.
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No. 2
Sub Conductor Smithwick Army Comt. Depart, Bengal and formerly of the 70th Foot, served under me for about 4/2 years. I found him at all times a very valuable assistant, steady, honest, and exact in the execution of any order issued to him. He was attached to the Field Force under Sir Neville Chamberlain K.C.B. for a long time in 1863 & 1864, and was the only subordinate with that Force whom I could trust and rely upon. My confidence in him was well placed, for no man could have worked harder, and more concientiously [sic] than he did, while at the same time under great difficulties, he gave great satisfaction to all who came in contact with him. I have regularly testified my opinion of his merits and I will only add that I shall always be glad to speak in his favour.
(Signed)
J. H. Jenkins, Major
Asst. Com. General
Darjeling.
Ext. Comt. office.
4th January 1869.
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No. 3
I have known John Smithwick for more than Twenty five (25) years many of which he served with me in the 70th Regt. in which Corps he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was subsequently appointed to the Commissariat, as Sub Conductor. He also lived with me for the last year and a half, and leaves at his own request. He is a good, sober, trustworthy man, willing and obliging, and I need not say that I part with him with regret.
(Signed)
T. J. Galloway, Lt. Gen.
Late Lt. Col. 70th Regt.
Craigmichael
Innellan.
11th Nov. 1873.
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No. 4
Sub conductor John Smithwick being about to proceed to England, after a service of upward of 22 years of which more than 19 years have been passed in India, I have much pleasure in testifying to his good character and zeal in the performance of his duties during the time I have been in Executive charge of the Kussonlie Commissariat. Mr. Smithwick has been employed at Kalka in charge of the "Go-downs" and "SlaughterCattle" and he has performed his duties to my entire satisfaction. I believe Mr. Smithwick to be an honest, bright, forward good soldier, and should he wish for employment in his native country, I trust this certificate will be of use to him.
(Signed)
H. A. Taylor, Major
Dep. Asst. Comt. General
Kussonlie.
24th Nov. 1868.
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No. 5
Sub conductor John Smithwick served under me throughout the operations on the Euzofizie frontier in 1863 & 64; was in charge of the Godown with the Main Force, and worked in a manner which I have never seen equalled. My various knowledge of his character induced me to select him, and he proved himself in every respect a most efficient and trustworthy assistance. In fact as regards the Advance Column, he was practically the only subordinate I had.
(Signed)
J. H. Jenkins, Major
Asst. Comt. General
Kalka.
24th Nov. 1863
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No. 6
Ext. Comt. Office
Gowhatty 24th March 1866.
Mr. Sub Conductor Smithwick has served under me in Assam about 5 months, and has been in charge of the North Gowhatty Go-down. He had extremely responsible and hard work to perform the whole of the time, in receiving and despatching stores, and I have great pleasure in testifying to his assiduity and attention. He has behaved extremely well and done his duties most satisfactorily, and has proved himself an excellent Warrant Officer.
(Signed)
T. Holland, Major
Dep. Asst. Comt. General
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No. 7
Dugshaie. 11th Oct. 1865.
Sergt. Smithwick,
If any certificate of mine can possibly be of any use to you, I am only too happy to give it to you. I can safely say that since you have been attached to the 101st Regt. you have given everybody satisfaction, more especially during the time we were on service in the Umbeyla Pass, where to do this was anything but an easy matter, for the difficulties the Commissariat had to contend with were well known to everybody. Yet I never heard of a single complaint from any man, when we were all perfectly ready to grumble, at the want of anything, and this I believe was owing to the great care you took in looking after our interests in the Comt. Department.
Your experience at Umbeyla will I am sure be of use to you in the Bhootan Country, and I wish you every success in the campaign.
(Signed)
J. G. Patridge
Lieut & Adjutant. 101st Regt.
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No. 8
Sergt. John Smithwick, Comt. Depart. has been attached to the 101st Regt. for a long time & leaves now to my great regret, having been orderd to proceed to Calcutta to take another appointment. I have great pleasure in testifying of the zeal which has always been displayed by Sergt. Smithwick in the performance of his duties. No suggestion or request has ever passed unnoticed, and on service at Umbeyla, as well as in Cantonments, he has at all times exerted himself to the utmost, to do everything for the care and comfort of the Regt., and to keep the natives up to their work. Sergt. Smithwick is a straightforward honest good soldier and knows how to perform his duty. I am exceedingly sorry to lose him, but I think he leaves the 101st Regt. for his own advantage. He is deserving of great consideration, and all I have said is nothing more than his due.
(Signed)
Fred Salisbury C.B.
Lieut. Col. Commanding
101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers
Dugshaie.
18th Oct. 1865.
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