John Hugh Smellie
John Hugh Smellie (1874-1931)
1931 Obituary.[1]
Was born on the 15th of February, 1874, and served his apprenticeship with the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company. After completing his apprenticeship he spent two years in the drawing office, and was then appointed assistant foreman in the turning shop.
In 1900 he was offered the post of Assistant Locomotive Superintendent on the Rohilkund and Kumaon Railway of India, which he accepted. In 1905 he became Locomotive and Carriage Superintendent on the Kalha-Simla Railway, and District Locomotive Superintendent on the North Western Railway of India in 1908.
He remained with the railway company until 1914, having risen to Deputy Locomotive Superintendent and Carriage and Wagon Superintendent, when he was appointed Chief Mechanical Engineer to the East African Forces. For his services in connection with the attack on Tanga, he was awarded the D.S.O., and was also mentioned in despatches in May, 1916.
Retiring from the Forces as Lieut.-Colonel in 1918, he returned to the North Western Railway of India, but in May, 1919, received a special appointment in connection with the Afghan War. On his return to England he became General Manager of Messrs. R. Y. Pickering and Co. He died on the 17th of July, 1931, at the age of 57.