Harcus Strachan
Lieutenant, Fort Garry Horse. Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 1188 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Fort Garry Horse. Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: The Fort Garry Horse) all The Fort Garry Horse VCs →
- Date of action
- 20 November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 7th November 1884 at Borrowtounness, West Lothian, Scotland
- Died
- 1st May 1982, at Vancouver, Canada
- Memorial / grave
- Cremated at Vancouver Crematorium. Canada
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
Lieutenant Strachan took command of his squadron, on 20th November 1917 at Masnieres, France, when its leader was killed galloping at the enemy line. He led the squadron through a line of enemy machine-gun posts and then, with the remains of his squadron, led a charge on the enemy battery. Using his sword, he killed seven gunners. Having killed all the Gunners and silenced the battery, once more the men rallied and at night-time they fought their way back through the enemy lines, bringing back all the unwounded to safety; along with 15 enemy prisoners. This outstanding and fearless officer had, with his squadron, silenced the battery; killed all battery personnel; killed many Infantry and had also cut telephone communications two miles to the rear of the enemy lines
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STRACHAN, Harcus. (reg No. 1188).
Lieutenant. Fort Garry Horse. Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 18th December 1917.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 7th November 1884 at Borrowtounness, West Lothian, Scotland.
Died on 1st May 1982, at Vancouver, Canada. Cremated at Vancouver Crematorium. Canada.
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Strachan took command of his squadron, on 20th November 1917 at Masnieres, France, when its leader was killed galloping at the enemy line. He led the squadron through a line of enemy machine-gun posts and then, with the remains of his squadron, led a charge on the enemy battery. Using his sword, he killed seven gunners. Having killed all the Gunners and silenced the battery, once more the men rallied and at night-time they fought their way back through the enemy lines, bringing back all the unwounded to safety; along with 15 enemy prisoners. This outstanding and fearless officer had, with his squadron, silenced the battery;
killed all battery personnel; killed many Infantry and had also cut telephone communications two miles to the rear of the enemy lines.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Colonel Strachan also held the Military Cross (MC). Borrowstounness, his birthplace, presented him with a sword, at a reception attended by Lord Rosebery. He also posed for a portrait which was hung in Parliament House, Ottawa. During the Second World War he commanded the 1st Battalion Edmonton Fusiliers. Further research required.
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Strachan also held the Military Cross (MC). Borrowstounness, his birthplace, presented him with a sword, at a reception attended by Lord Rosebery. He also posed for a portrait which was hung in Parliament House, Ottawa. During the Second World War he commanded the 1st Battalion Edmonton Fusiliers. Further research required.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Cremated at Vancouver Crematorium. Canada
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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