Hector Lachlan Stewart Maclean

Lieutenant Staff, Corps and Corps of Guides. Indian Army

VC
Register No.
804 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Lieutenant Staff (register: Lieutenant) all Lieutenants →
Unit
Corps and Corps of Guides. Indian Army all Corps of Guides VCs →
Date of action
17 August 1897 on this day → all of 1897 →
Conflict / campaign
Tirah Campaign
London Gazette
9th November 1897 also on 15th January 1907 on this day → all of 1897 →
Born
13th September 1870 at Bannu, North West Frontier, India
Died
in action on 17th August 1897 at Nawa Kili, in the Upper
Memorial / grave
St Albans Church, Marden, Kent and in the Sanctum Crypt of St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London

Digest of citation

During the fighting at Nawa Kili, in the Upper Swat of India on 17th August 1897 Lieutenant-Colonel RB Adams (reg No. 7) along with Lieutenant H L S Maclean, Lieutenant the Viscount Fincastle (reg No. 401) and five men of the Corps of Guides proceeded under, a very heavy and close fire, to rescue Lieutenant Greaves of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who was wounded and lying on the ground surrounded by enemy swordsmen. Whilst bringing Lieutenant Greaves to cover he was unfortunately killed after being struck by a bullet. The horses of Lieutenant Colonel Adams, Lieutenant Fincastle and two of the Guide's horses were shot and Lieutenant Maclean was mortally wounded. The report, following this action stated, that Lieutenant Maclean of the Indian Staff Corps for his gallant conduct would, had he lived, have been recommended for the Victoria Cross. (London Gazette, 9th November 1897). On 15th January 1907, (London Gazette) Lieutenant Maclean was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. More to be added

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

MACLEAN, Hector Lachlan Stewart. (reg No. 804)..

Lieutenant. Staff Corps and Corps of Guides. Indian Army.

London Gazetted on 9th November 1897 also on 15th January 1907.

Born on 13th September 1870 at Bannu, North West Frontier, India.

Killed in action on 17th August 1897 at Nawa Kili, in the Upper Swat of India.

Memorial at St Albans Church, Marden, Kent and in the Sanctum Crypt of St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London.

Digest of Citation reads: During the fighting at Nawa Kili, in the Upper Swat of India on 17th August 1897 Lieutenant-Colonel RB Adams (reg No. 7) along with Lieutenant H L S Maclean, Lieutenant the Viscount Fincastle (reg No. 401) and five men of the Corps of Guides proceeded under, a very heavy and close fire, to rescue Lieutenant Greaves of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who was wounded and lying on the ground surrounded by enemy swordsmen. Whilst bringing Lieutenant Greaves to cover he was unfortunately killed after being struck by a bullet. The horses of Lieutenant Colonel Adams, Lieutenant Fincastle and two of the Guide's horses were shot and Lieutenant Maclean was mortally wounded. The report, following this action stated, that Lieutenant Maclean of the Indian Staff Corps for his gallant conduct would, had he lived, have been recommended for the Victoria Cross. (London Gazette, 9th November 1897). On 15th January 1907, (London Gazette) Lieutenant Maclean was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. More to be added.

Swat of India.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: St Albans Church, Marden, Kent and in the Sanctum Crypt of St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London

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