John MacGregor (VC)
| John MacGregor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1 February 1889 Cawdor, Scotland |
| Died |
9 June 1952 (aged 63) Powell River, British Columbia, Canada |
| Buried at | Cranberry Lake Cemetery, Powell River |
| Allegiance |
 Canada |
| Service/branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Years of service | 1915 - 1919, 1940 - 1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles |
| Commands held | 2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | |
John MacGregor VC MC & Bar DCM ED (1 February 1889 – 9 June 1952) was a Scottish-Canadian soldier. MacGregor was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.[1] MacGregor served in the Canadian army in both world wars.
Details
Macgregor was born in Cawdor near Nairn, Scotland in 1889 and moved to Canada in 1909. He served in the army from 1915 to 1919. MacGregor was 29 years old, and a temporary captain in the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed during the Battle of the Canal du Nord took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
During the period 29 September/3 October 1918 near Cambrai, France, Captain MacGregor acted with most conspicuous bravery and leadership. He led his company under intense fire, and although wounded, located and put out of action enemy machine-guns which were checking progress, killing four and taking eight prisoners. He then reorganised his command under heavy fire and in the face of stubborn resistance continued the advance. Later, after a personal daylight reconnaissance under heavy fire, he established his company in Neuville St. Remy, thereby greatly assisting the advance into Tilloy.[2]
Further information
MacGregor served again from 1940 to 1946, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel commanding the 2nd The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's). He is buried at Cranberry Lake Cemetery, Powell River, British Columbia.
His biography was published under the title MacGregor V.C..
MacGregor's Victoria Cross and other medals are on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.
References
- ↑ Date of birth is 11 February 1889 in two Canadian sources, Valiant Men by John Swettenham published in Toronto in 1973 and http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/vcg-gcv/bio/macgregor-j-eng.asp which is believed to have been the date on his attestation papers. His birth certificate states 1 February 1889
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31108. p. 305. 3 January 1919. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War - The Final Days 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 2000)