King's South Africa Medal - Royal Army Medical Corps - Messina Earthquake - MiD - Gillespie

KSA (SA01, SA02) named to: 10254 S. Sergt. A. Gillespie. R.A.M.C.

Archibald Gillespie was born in Islay, Argyllshire, Scotland. He was serving in the 5th Volunteer Battalion, Highland Light Infantry when he joined the Medical Staff Corps at Glasgow in November 1893. Following postings at home and in Singapore, he proceeded to South Africa in March 1900 where he remained until January 1903. For his nearly 3 years service during the Boer War he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for Wittebergen and Cape Colony as well as his King's South Africa Medal, offered here. He returned home in 1903 where he remained for a little over 5 years before proceeding to Malta in September 1908.

Whilst part of the Malta garrison, the devastating earthquake in Messina, Italy occurred. Gillespie, along with around 60 other officers and men from the RAMC were despatched as a field hospital aboard HMS Duncan to Catona in Calabria, Italy to aid the thousands of wounded. For his service during the relief effort, Gillespie was "Commended by Army Council for excellent work done under arduous circumstances in Calabria in connection with the recent earthquake at MESSINA 933/2085/A.M.D. 1/d. 26/2/09" as per his service record. In 1912, along with a number of other members of the Malta Garrison, Gillespie was awarded the Italian Red Cross Messina Commemorative Medal and Diploma. This silver medal was awarded to very few British recipients, mainly medical personnel, with around half or more of them to women. 

Following many years of exemplary service Gillespie, now Serjeant Major, received his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1912.

Although he had reached retirement age after serving over 21 years, Gillespie was permitted to continue to serve, and was among the first members of the RAMC to reach France with the BEF in August 1914. He was Mentioned in Despatches early in the war (MiD London Gazette 29200, 18 June 1915.) and was appointed to a commission in 1916. He served the remainder of the was as a Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the RAMC.