A 'Killed-Fighting-the-Flames' Glasgow Fireman's, Great War medal pair: Fireman Henry 'Harry' Watson McKellar, Central Fire Station, Glasgow Fire Brigade, late 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Bn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) & 3rd Bn Scottish Horse

- British War Medal. Silver issue (1339 Pte. H. W. McKellar. 3-Sco. H.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (1339 Pte. H. W. McKellar. 3-Sco. H.)

Killed Fire Fighting, Glasgow, Christmas Eve 1927: Fireman 'Harry' McKellar, a married man, who only 24 hours before his death on Christmas Eve had been performing the role of 'Santa Claus' for the children of members of the Glasgow Fire Brigade, at the Central Fire Station. Harry was one of four Firemen to tragically die bravely fighting the flames, at the Graham Street Warehouse fire on 'Christmas Eve' on, 24 December 1927

Important: There is a rich cache of articles and reports on this tragic event, and we would direct interested parties to access the below following report on he Graham Street Fire from the archives of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who have a large PDF on the incident. Just cut and paste below referenced search text into your search engine, for full details

- https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/2383395/06_graham_square_archive_press.pdf

Medals verification: Both medals confirmed as the recipient's full Great War medal entitlement, per the respective campaign medal rolls of the Scottish Horse:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: Ref WO 329/1359
- Interallied Victory Medal: Ref WO 329/1359

Great War service: Harry, served in 3 x theatres of war 1916-1918, viz, Egypt, Salonika and France. He first entered theatre of war 'Egypt' sometime on or after 1 January 1916, while serving with 3rd Battalion Scottish Horse which yeomanry unit served in Egypt in 1916. On, 1 October 1916 , 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), was formed at Abbassia, Egypt, from three dismounted Yeomanry Regiments, the 1st & 2nd Scottish Horse and details from the 3rd Scottish Horse. The 13th/Royal Highlanders moved to Salonika, arriving 21 October 1916, where it served under command of 81st Brigade in 27th Division. In June 1918, 13th/Royal Highlanders relocated to theatre of war 'France', and on 15 July 1918, transferred to 149th Brigade of 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Harry took his final discharge from the British Army on, 9 May 1919 (extant pension index cards refer)

After taking his discharge from the British Army, Harry returned to his native Scotland, and in 1920 joined the City of Glasgow Fire Brigade - by the time of his death 'Fighting the Flames' on 24 December 1927, he had already completed seven years service, with the City of Glasgow Fire Brigade

Henry 'Harry' Watson McKellar, son of John McKellar (Dairyman & Hirer, 1840-1905) & Mary Mackay McKellar (nee Thomson, 1856-1932) was a native of Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born in 1896. The 1901 National Census for Scotland records 'Harry' (shown as Hendry McKeller) living with his parents and two older siblings, brother Thomas (11) & sister Annie (8), at, Townhead Close, Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland. Harry is recorded as marrying Elizabeth Jemima Anderson at Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, sometime in 1923.

The medals each retaining their original long lengths of original silk 'moire' ribands, exactly as isued, and evidently never worn by the recipient

A most desirable pair of medals of considerable City of Glasgow local historical interest

Condition: About EF

Code: 22268