John McAulay
{{Short description|Scottish policeman, soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= John McAulay
|image= John McAulay VC.jpg
|caption= Sergeant John McAulay of the Glasgow Police, c.1922
|nickname=
|birth_date= {{birth date|1888|12|27|df=yes}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1956|01|14|1888|12|27|df=yes}}
|death_place= Burnside, Glasgow
|placeofburial= New Eastwood Cemetery, Glasgow
|allegiance= United Kingdom
|branch= British Army
|serviceyears= 1914–1919
|servicenumber= No. 10053
|rank= Sergeant
|commands=
|unit= Scots Guards
|battles= First World War
|awards= Victoria Cross
Distinguished Conduct Medal
|relations=
|laterwork= Police Inspector
}}
Sergeant John McAulay, {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|VC|DCM}} (27 December 1888 – 14 January 1956) was a Scottish policeman, soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early life
He was born in Kinghorn in Fife on 27 December 1888 the son of John McAulay and his wife Isabella. The family moved to 4 Gillespie Crescent in Plean (near Falkirk) and he was educated at Plean Primary School. He left school around 1901 and began working as a coal-miner. Being both tall and strong he left the pits to join the police force in 1911 and was based in Glasgow. At the onset of the First World War he was one of the first volunteers and joined the Scots Guards on 9 September 1914.{{cite web | url=http://vconline.org.uk/john-mcaulay-vc/4587567120.html | title=John McAulay VC - victoriacross }}
Details
He was 28 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place at the Battle of Cambrai for which he was awarded the VC.
{{Quote|For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. When all his officers had become casualties Serjt. McAulay assumed command of the company and under shell and machine-gun fire successfully held and consolidated the objective gained. He reorganised the company, cheered on and encouraged his men, and under heavy fire at close quarters showed utter disregard of danger.
Noticing a counter-attack developing on his exposed left flank, he successfully repulsed it by the skilful and bold use of machine-guns, aided by two men only, causing heavy enemy casualties.
Serjt. McAulay also carried his company commander, who was mortally wounded, a long distance to a place of safety under very heavy fire. Twice he was knocked down by the concussion of a bursting shell but, nothing daunted, he continued on his way until his objective was achieved, killing two of the enemy who endeavoured to intercept him.
Throughout the day this very gallant Non-commissioned Officer displayed the highest courage, tactical skill, and coolness under exceptionally trying circumstances.{{London Gazette|issue=30471|date=8 January 1918|page=723|supp=y}}}}
After the war he resumed his career in the Glasgow Police, serving in the Maryhill district, rising to the rank of Inspector before retiring in 1948.
He died at the age of 67at home, 915 Aikenhead Road,{{cite web | url=http://vconline.org.uk/john-mcaulay-vc/4587567120.html | title=John McAulay VC - victoriacross }} Burnside, Glasgow on 14 January 1956 and is buried in New Eastwood Cemetery in Glasgow (section L-VII lair 139.{{cite web | url=https://www.findagraveinscotland.com/grave/famous/Military | title=Famous Graves in Scotland - Military }}
Family
He was married to Catherine Thomson (1890-1963).Grave of John McAulay, New Eastwood Cemetery
Prior to this, he was first married to Isabella Horn or Chitticks on 22nd April 1919. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results/56604679967e0342969203 Isabella (or Bella) sadly died in childbirth 27th December 1920. Their child John died 3 days later https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results/130867520867e033d32151d
Freemasonry
He was Initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge Greyfriars No.1221, (Glasgow, Scotland) on 13 May 1924.The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. pp.319 - 322. {{ISBN|978-0-9563661-7-7}}
Medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards RHQ), London.
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|last=Gliddon|first=Gerald|title=VCs of the First World War: Cambrai 1917|year=2004|orig-date=2012|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-0-75-247668-1}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20050104200733/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/glasgow.htm Location of grave and VC medal] (Glasgow)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20000307194340/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/bbphoto.htm News Item] (photo)
{{DEFAULTSORT:McAulay, John}}
Category:Military personnel from Fife
Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
Category:Scots Guards soldiers
Category:British Army personnel of World War I
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Category:Scottish police officers