John McAulay
John McAulay | |
|---|---|
 Sergeant John McAulay of the Glasgow Police, c.1922 | |
| Born | 27 December 1888 Kinghorn, Fife |
| Died | 14 January 1956 (aged 67) Burnside, Glasgow |
| Buried | New Eastwood Cemetery, Glasgow |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–19 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Scots Guards |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal |
| Other work | Police Inspector |
John McAulay, VC, DCM (27 December 1888 – 14 January 1956) was a Scottish policeman, soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details[]
He was 28 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place at the Battle of Cambrai for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27 November 1917 at Fontaine Notre Dame, France, when all his officers had become casualties, Sergeant McAulay assumed command of the company and under shell and machine-gun fire successfully held and consolidated the objectives gained. He reorganised the company and noticing a counter-attack developing, repulsed it by the skilful and bold use of machine-guns, causing heavy enemy casualties. The sergeant also carried his company commander, who was mortally wounded, to a place of safety.[1]
After the war he resumed his career in the Glasgow Police, rising to the rank of inspector before retiring in 1948.
Freemasonry[]
He was Initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge Greyfriars No.1221, (Glasgow, Scotland) on 13 May 1924.[2]
Medal[]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards RHQ), London.
References[]
- ^ "No. 30471". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1918. p. 723.
- ^ The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. pp.319 - 322. ISBN 978-0-9563661-7-7
External links[]
- Location of grave and VC medal (Glasgow)
- News Item (photo)
- 1888 births
- 1956 deaths
- People from Kinghorn
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Scots Guards soldiers
- British Army personnel of World War I
- Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal
- Scottish police officers
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross