HLI Chronicle 1914 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

120 HIGHLAND LIGH1.'~--. --_._-_._.-­INFANTRY CHRONICLE.M. M'Murdo, G.C.B., who was aide-de-campto Sir Charles Napier, whose daughter hemarried. The late Pasha was born in 1861.He entered the Highland Light Infantry in1882, and joined the Egyptian army fouryears later. He served in the Sudan operationsof 1888-1889, and took part in the actionsof Handoob (where he was wounded), Khor~lousa, Gemaiza, and Toski. He distinguishedhimself throughout these operations, and forhis gallantry at Toski received the D.S.O.Afterwards M'Murdo Pasha served on theHeadquarter Stafi of the Egyptian Army, andon the reconquest of the Sudan he was placedin charge of the Slavery Repression Department.It was due to his energy and enterprisethat the slave trade was so efiicientlyand efiectively combated and put down inthe reconquered territory. A couple of yearsago he became Director-General of the KhedivalAgricultural Society, which received a greatimpetus from his organising ability.M'Murdo Pasha had a most charming personality.He was persona grata in all circles,and he leaves a blank which it will be impossibleto fill. An eloquent testimony to his popularitywas afforded by his funeral, which wasattended by almost the whole British colonyand by crowds of natives, notables, and foreigners.The coffin-bearers were Sir HoracePinching, Mr. P. W. Stout, Mr. F. Stout,Major O. Fitzgerald, Major Spong, HunterPasha, Colonel Garner, and Dr. Keatinge,whilst the chief mourners were Lord Kitchener,Major-General the Hon. J. Byng,Prince Kamel-ed-din, and Watson Pasha.Quantities of wreaths were sent, the mostnoticeable being one of white roses labelled"From his own garden" (M'Murdo Pashawas a great lover of roses) and one sent byLord Kitchener, upon which was written"With the deepest feeling of sorrow at theloss of my sincere friend and companion ofso many years."Lord Kitchener had a great affection forM'Murdo Pasha, who served under him in allthe actions in which he was engaged, and who,as a matter of fact, saved the present BritishAgent's life on one occasion. The followingtouching story of M'l\Iurdo Pasha's last illnessshows the great bond of affection which unitedthese two men. As the doctors despaired ofsaving his life, he was told that his case washopeless. He bore the news bravely, and saidthat all he wished was to see Lord Kitcheneronce more before he died.' But the BritishAgent had gone down to the Delta on a visitto the State Domains estate. It was not;possible to get into touch with him by wireor telephone, so the only thing to do was tosendan engine down with a letter. LordKitchener, as soon as he received it, orderedhis car to be attached to the engine and returnedat full speed to Cairo. M'J\-1urdo Pashalingered for a couple of days, during whichLord Kitchener spent much time with him,and was with him up to the last. Thus withina little over a year Lord Kitchener has losttwo of his best and oldest friends--M'Murdo,Pasha and Birch Pasha, who was at his deathBritish Administrator of the State Domains.M'Murdo Pasha came of a distinguishedmilitary family. His father, Sir Michaell\I'Murdo, was aide-de-camp to Sir CharlesNapier, whose daughter Susan he married.Sir Michael was the ofiicer chosen to conveyNapier's dying message to the 22nd Regiment,which Regiment they had both commanded.Though M'Murdo Pasha belonged to the 7lst~where he was a favourite with officers andmen alike, his loss will also be keenly regrettedby the 22nd, with whom his family hasbeen so long connected.M'Murdo Pasha was a charming and genialman, and one of the very best types ever sentto Egypt by Great Britain. His loss willbe deeply regretted by all who knew him.SERGT. ROBERT BREATHWOOD.ONE of the few remaining Crime an veteranshas passed away in the person of SergeantRobert Breathwood, 7lst H.L.!., who diedat his residence at 35 Provost Road, Dundee.He had been in failing health for several years.For over 21 years he served with the colours,and had the Crimean medal and the clasp forSebastopol. He had also medals for servicein Turkey and Central India. Sergt. Breathwoodwas afterwards transferred to the Depotat Perth, where he remained for 14 years.Coming to Dundee, he acted as recruitingsergeant until his retiral in 1885. Deceasedwas 85 years of age, and is survived by adaughter.The funeral took place at Dundee on the2nd of May with military honours, a firingpartybeing supplied by the Black Watch,and his old Regiment being represented fromthe Depot at Hamilton by Pipe-MajorM'Intyre and Col.-Sergt. Davis.DONALDSON.-·-At Edinburgh, on the 16thof April, 1914, Alexander Donaldson, latePrivate (No. 1297), 74th Highlanders.