Matthew Fontaine Maury Meiklejohn

Matthew Fontaine Maury Meiklejohn

The battle of Elandslaagte
Born 27 November 1870
Clapham, London
Died 4 July 1913 (aged 42)
Hyde Park, London
Buried at Brookwood Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1891 - 1913
Rank Major
Unit The Gordon Highlanders
Battles/wars Chitral Expedition
Tirah Campaign
Second Boer War
Awards Victoria Cross

Major Matthew Fontaine Maury Meiklejohn VC (27 November 1870 – 4 July 1913[1]) was a British 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.

Details

Meiklejohn was the son of Professor John Meiklejohn, of the University of St. Andrews, and was educated at Madras College and Fettes College. He was 28 years old, and a Captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at the Battle of Elandslaagte for which he was awarded the VC.

At the Battle of Elandslaagte on the 21st October, 1899, after the main Boer position had been captured, some men of the Gordon Highlanders, when about to assault a kopje in advance, were exposed to a heavy cross-fire and, having lost their leaders, commenced to waver. Seeing this, Captain Meiklejohn rushed to the front and called on the Gordons to follow him. By his conspicuous bravery and fearless example, he rallied the men and led them against the enemy's position, where he fell, desperately wounded in four places.[2]

His VC action cost him his arm which was amputated. Despite this, he remained in the army as a staff officer. He was promoted to the substantive rank of Captain of the Gordon Highlanders 22 January 1902,[3] and was seconded as a staff officer posted at Saint Helena.[4] He later achieved the rank of major.

Further information

Meiklejohn's grave in Brookwood Cemetery

He died on 4 July 1913 following a fall from his horse in Hyde Park, and was given a hero's funeral in Brookwood Cemetery. He is commemorated by a plaque on the wall of the Hyde Park Barracks, London.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Notes

  1. ↑ Who's Who 1914, p. xxiii, gives 3 July as the date of death
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27212. p. 4509. 20 July 1900. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27413. p. 1540. 4 March 1902.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27419. p. 2075. 25 March 1902.

References

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