John Mcaulay
Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
- Register No.
- 764 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant (register: Corporal) all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion, Scots Guards all Scots Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 11th January 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 27th December, 1888 at Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland
- Died
- 14th January, 1956 at Glasgow
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
Sergeant McAulay assumed command of his company on 27th November 1917, when all his officers had become casualties. Under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, the company attacked, held and consolidated the objectives gained. Reorganising the company,cheering and encouraging his men on, Sergeant Macaulay, under heavy fire at close quarters, showed great disregard for danger. A counter attack, which developed on his exposed left flank, was repulsed successfully by skilful use of the machine guns, aided by his men they caused heavy enemy casualties. Sergeant McAulay carried his Commander, Lieutenant Kincaird, who was mortally wounded, under extremely heavy fire, for 500 yards to a place of safety
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McAULAY, John. (reg No. 764).
Sergeant. 1st Battalion, Scots Guards.
London Gazetted on 11th January 1918.
Born on 27th December, 1888 at Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland.
Died on 14th January, 1956 at Glasgow.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: Sergeant McAulay assumed command of his company on 27th November 1917, when all his officers had become casualties. Under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, the company attacked, held and consolidated the objectives gained. Reorganising the company,cheering and encouraging his men on, Sergeant Macaulay, under heavy fire at close quarters, showed great disregard for danger. A counter attack, which developed on his exposed left flank, was repulsed successfully by skilful use of the machine guns, aided by his men they caused heavy enemy casualties. Sergeant McAulay carried his Commander, Lieutenant Kincaird, who was mortally wounded, under extremely heavy fire, for 500 yards to a place of safety..
Additional information:. Sergeant McAulay also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). He was the eldest son of John and Isabella McAulay, of Kinghorn, Fife. He was educated at Plean, Stirlingshire, after which, he began work as a miner. He joined the Glasgow Northern Police Force and at the time of the outbreak of the European War (WW 1) he was a sergeant in that force On the 3rd September, 1914 he joined the Scots Guards as a Private, serving with distinction.. On 13th July 1917, he cleared pillboxes at Ypres and accounted for several snipers, single-handed. For this action he was ordered the DCM.
Additional information
Sergeant McAulay also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). He was the eldest son of John and Isabella McAulay, of Kinghorn, Fife. He was educated at Plean, Stirlingshire, after which, he began work as a miner. He joined the Glasgow Northern Police Force and at the time of the outbreak of the European War (WW 1) he was a sergeant in that force On the 3rd September, 1914 he joined the Scots Guards as a Private, serving with distinction.. On 13th July 1917, he cleared pillboxes at Ypres and accounted for several snipers, single-handed. For this action he was ordered the DCM.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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