Published: Wednesday, 19th December, 2007 12:30
I'll be back - Smeato
By Susie Penman
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Hero John's grandparents were Borderers and he spent happy times here.
Pic by: Scottish Sun
SCOTLAND’S modern-day hero, who helped tackle terrorist suspects at Glasgow Airport in June, has spoken about his love of the Borders.
In the week it was announced that John ‘Smeato’ Smeaton will receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his bravery in the terror attack, we spoke to him about his happy times spent in the region.
Baggage handler, John, is now famous as Glasgow’s own superhero, and is Scotland’s favourite celebrity.
But what most Borderers might not know is that he can, through his mother’s side of the family, trace his roots back to Selkirk and Newtown St Boswells.
And he spent many happy times in the Borders.
The 31-year-old’s mum, Cathy, said: “My father came from Newcastleton, and my mother came from Melrose.
“My father was the manager of the British Linen Bank in Selkirk from 1945 to 1966.”
Mrs Smeaton went to school at Selkirk High, and lived in Selkirk until she went to Heriot Watt University in 1977.
As for her parents, they moved from Selkirk—but remained in the Borders.
“He remained in Selkirk until 1966 and then retired to St Boswells,” she added.
“My father and mother lived in the Borders all their life.”
And while she said her son might not remember Selkirk too well, “He’ll remember St Boswells,” she said.
And indeed he does—in fact John said he had fond memories of spending time with his grandparents in the village.
“I remember the Buccleugh Arms Hotel,” he told the Border Telegraph.
“I have brilliant memories of going down the street, and into the shops,” he added.
John also said that he remembered—from “years and years ago”— horses drawing carts up the streets of the village.
“The thing that I remember most, being at my grandparents’ house with their big massive garden, and a big apple tree me and my sisters would climb,” he said.
“Every autumn we’d go over. My grandpa had grapes, a lot of grapes. My whole family would go there—there were so many apples from the tree.
“My grandma made apple crumbles and apple tarts.
“It was a great place to visit.”
As for his recent medal, which is awarded to civilians for acts of bravery, John said modestly: “It made my mum smile a lot.”
And though his grandparents have since passed away, John said that he owed his former part-time stomping grounds a visit.
“I’ve not been down for a while, it’s something I must do,” he said.
“I need to get my backside back down there.”
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