James Mckechnie
Sergeant, Scots Fusilier Guards
- Register No.
- 796 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- Scots Fusilier Guards all Scots Fusilier Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 20 September 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24th February, 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- in June 1826 at High Church, Paisley, Scotland
- Died
- 5th July 1886 at Glasgow, Scotland
- Memorial / grave
- on the Eastern Necropolis, Gallowgate, Glasgow, Scotland
Digest of citation
At the Battle of Alma, in the Crimea, on 20th September 1854, shot and shell from the batteries firing from the front of the battalion, threw them temporally into disarray causing the formation to be one of a triangle with the apex pointing at the enemy. Captain Robert Lindsay was waving the Queen's Colour, which contained 20 bullet holes through its silk and its pole had been smashed. Holding up his rifle, Sergeant McKECHNIE charged towards the colour, shouting, "By the centre, Scots, by the centre, look to the Colours and march by them." Sergeant McKECHNIE was wounded in the ankle
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McKECHNIE, James. (reg No. 796).
Sergeant. Scots Fusilier Guards.
London Gazetted on 24th February, 1857.
Born in June 1826 at High Church, Paisley, Scotland.
Died on 5th July 1886 at Glasgow, Scotland.
Memorial on the Eastern Necropolis, Gallowgate, Glasgow, Scotland.
Digest of Citation reads: At the Battle of Alma, in the Crimea, on 20th September 1854, shot and shell from the batteries firing from the front of the battalion, threw them temporally into disarray causing the formation to be one of a triangle with the apex pointing at the enemy. Captain Robert Lindsay was waving the Queen's Colour, which contained 20 bullet holes through its silk and its pole had been smashed. Holding up his rifle, Sergeant McKECHNIE charged towards the colour, shouting, "By the centre, Scots, by the centre, look to the Colours and march by them." Sergeant McKECHNIE was wounded in the ankle.
Additional information:. Army No. 3234, Sergeant McKECHNIE, was, prior to joining the Army, a tinsmith. He enlisted in the Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Guards on 11th February 1845. A description of him tells us that he was five feet nine and three quarter inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a fresh complexion. On the 12th September 1847 he was promoted to Corporal and then promoted to Sergeant, 12th January 1853. From 28th February 1854 to July 1856 he served with the Regiment at the Battles of Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol. He saw service in Canada for three years from 20th December 1861. At his own request he was discharged, with a pension, just under the age of 40. At that time he had four good conduct badges, drawing fourpence good conduct pay. He had completed 21 years (and three days) in the Army. He was stated to be, "A very good and sober soldier" He went to reside in Glasgow, Scotland, on a pension of one shilling for life. He died at the age of 60.
Additional information
Army No. 3234, Sergeant McKECHNIE, was, prior to joining the Army, a tinsmith. He enlisted in the Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Guards on 11th February 1845. A description of him tells us that he was five feet nine and three quarter inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a fresh complexion. On the 12th September 1847 he was promoted to Corporal and then promoted to Sergeant, 12th January 1853. From 28th February 1854 to July 1856 he served with the Regiment at the Battles of Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol. He saw service in Canada for three years from 20th December 1861. At his own request he was discharged, with a pension, just under the age of 40. At that time he had four good conduct badges, drawing fourpence good conduct pay. He had completed 21 years (and three days) in the Army. He was stated to be, "A very good and sober soldier" He went to reside in Glasgow, Scotland, on a pension of one shilling for life. He died at the age of 60.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on the Eastern Necropolis, Gallowgate, Glasgow, Scotland
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