Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A General Service Medal awarded to Private J. McMillan of the Black Watch, a ‘Boy Soldier’ of 17, whose commanding officer sought permission from his father to ‘beat the boy for smoking’
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2754601 Pte. J. McMillan, Black Watch) extremely fine £160-200

In 1937, Private John McMillan, 2nd Battalion Black Watch, a Bands Boy, aged 17, was based at the Talavera Barracks in Jerusalem. In November 1937, Mr Malcolm McMillan, of Blythswood Street, Glasgow, received a letter from his son’s commanding officer which stated:- ‘Dear Sir, I am very sorry to have to write to inform you that I am experiencing a lot of trouble with your boy over the question of smoking. As you may know, no boy is allowed to smoke until he reaches man’s service - but your boy has been reported to me several times for this offence. Not only is it definitely bad for his health but it is also a serious case of disobedience. I have tried confining him to barracks as a punishment, but this appears to have no effect. I am therefore writing to ask you for permission to give the boy a beating, as I consider that this will be the only way to stop him smoking. ....’

Mr McMillan refused his permission and approached his Member of Parliament. On 22 November, Mr Hore-Belisha, Minister for War, was asked by Mr Macneil Weir, M.P. for Stirling, if he was aware of an officer in Palestine requesting permission to “flog” a boy soldier for smoking. An argument then ensued between the two gentlemen regarding the difference between “flogging” and “beating”. The matter was widely reported in the national Scottish press along with photographs of John McMillan in his drummer’s uniform. One Glasgow newspaper published a cartoon of a N.C.O. with a Private over his knee “skelping” his bottom with the heading “Life with the Black Watch - Private being severely punished for smoking, the big naughty, naughty.”

John McMillan was taken out of the Army by his father. About six months later he contracted meningitis from which he died. With seven newspaper cuttings and some copied photographs.