Eric Archibald Mcnair
Captain, 9th Service Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
- Register No.
- 808 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (register: Temp. Lieutenant) all Captains →
- Unit
- 9th Service Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment all Royal Sussex Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 February 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 30th March, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 16th June 1894 at Calcutta, India
- Died
- 12th August 1918 at Genoa Base Hospital, Genoa, Italy
- Memorial / grave
- at Staglieno Cemetery, Italy and on the Royal Sussex Regiment Memorial in Winchester Cathedral
Digest of citation
Lieutenant McNair, on Valentine's Day, 14th February 1916 at Hooge, Belgium, along with several men, of two platoons, were hurled into the air when an enemy mine exploded, burying many of the men and equipment. Thoroughly shaken, he took control and organised a party with a machine gun to cover the edge of the Crater. They opened rapid fire on a strong body of advancing enemy, killing many and driving the remainder back. The lieutenant then ran back for reinforcements, sending for bombs and ammunition and equipment to replace the equipment that had been buried. He ran across open ground under heavy fire, because the communication trench was blocked, then led the reinforcements back the same way
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McNAIR, Eric Archibald. (reg No. 808).
Captain. 9th Service Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.
London Gazetted on 30th March, 1916.
Born on 16th June 1894 at Calcutta, India.
Died on 12th August 1918 at Genoa Base Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
Memorials on grave at Staglieno Cemetery, Italy and on the Royal Sussex Regiment Memorial in Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant McNair, on Valentine's Day, 14th February 1916 at Hooge, Belgium, along with several men, of two platoons, were hurled into the air when an enemy mine exploded, burying many of the men and equipment. Thoroughly shaken, he took control and organised a party with a machine gun to cover the edge of the Crater. They opened rapid fire on a strong body of advancing enemy, killing many and driving the remainder back. The lieutenant then ran back for reinforcements, sending for bombs and ammunition and equipment to replace the equipment that had been buried. He ran across open ground under heavy fire, because the communication trench was blocked, then led the reinforcements back the same way.
Additional information:. Captain McNair was the second son of George B. and Isabella McNair. his father was a Senior Partner in a firm of solicitors, Morgan and Co. His education was at Mr Sylvester's, Branksome, Godalming, Surrey and at Charterhouse, where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps, he then went on to Magdalen College, Oxford. He joined the Army on 14th October 1914 becoming a Second Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, transferring, as a Lieutenant, to the 9th Battalion. He went to fight in the European War (WW I) in September 1915 He was promoted to Captain * in October 1915.
* In the London Gazette, on his being awarded the Victoria Cross, he is stated as being a Lieutenant.
Additional information
Captain McNair was the second son of George B. and Isabella McNair. his father was a Senior Partner in a firm of solicitors, Morgan and Co. His education was at Mr Sylvester's, Branksome, Godalming, Surrey and at Charterhouse, where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps, he then went on to Magdalen College, Oxford. He joined the Army on 14th October 1914 becoming a Second Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, transferring, as a Lieutenant, to the 9th Battalion. He went to fight in the European War (WW I) in September 1915 He was promoted to Captain * in October 1915. he is stated as being a Lieutenant.
* In the London Gazette, on his being awarded the Victoria Cross,
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Staglieno Cemetery, Italy and on the Royal Sussex Regiment Memorial in Winchester Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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