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The Anecdotage of Glasgow
Colin M'Liver: The high school boy who became Lord Clyde


THE real name of the illustrious hero, Lord Clyde, was Colin M’Liver, he being the eldest son of John M’Liver and Agnes Campbell. He was born 28th October, 1792, at 63 High John Street, opposite the north-east corner of the Municipal Buildings. His parents were both natives of Islay, one of the Hebride islands. Young Colin was educated at the High School. At the age of ten he was removed from Glasgow by his maternal uncle, Colonel John Campbell; and, when fifteen years of age, received his commission as ensign, on the 26th May, 1808, in the 9th Regiment of Foot. It was then that the change of name from M’Liver to Campbell took place, and it arose out of an erroneous impression of the Duke of York, commander-in-chief, who, on Colonel Campbell introducing his nephew to the Duke, was greeted by His Royal Highness with the exclamation:

"What! another of the clan?"

On this assumption that he was of the same name as his uncle, a note of it was made as Colin Campbell. The colonel, who noticed his nephew about to correct the mistake, checked him in an undertone, and remarked:

"Campbell is a first-rate name to serve and fight under."

And thus it was the Duke of York who, unwittingly, changed the name of the young ensign. His regiment was under the command of Colonel Cameron, who gave him his first lesson in how to stand fire at the battle of Vimiera. He was in the army that fought under his fellow-townsman, Sir John Moore, at Corunna, and young Campbell was one of the party who buried the hero at dead of night, and

"Left him alone in his glory."

His career in India, and the honours which awaited him, are historical. The veteran hero died in peace, 14th August, 1863. His monument stands in George Square.


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