John Frederick MacKay


Lieutenant-Colonel John Frederick MacKay was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 26 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Crow's Nest Hill, Johannesburg, for which he was awarded the VC.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, Scotland along with his other medals.

RibbonDescriptionNotes
Victoria Cross
  • 1900
India Medal
  • Clasps: Tirah 1897-98 and Punjab Frontier 1897-98.
    • Queen's South Africa Medal
  • Clasps: Belfast, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeburg, Cape Colony
    • King's South Africa Medal
  • Clasps: South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902
    • Africa General Service Medal
  • Clasps: S. Nigeria 1905-06, S. Nigeria 1904-05 and S. Nigeria 1904
    • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal
  • Victory Medal

  • Further service

    Mackay was commissioned into the King's Own Scottish Borderers as a second lieutenant on 27 July 1901, while still in South Africa. Following the end of the Second Boer War in June 1902, he left Durban for England on the SS Nubia in August 1902. One year later, he was promoted to acting lieutenant while serving with the West African Frontier Force. This rank was confirmed in 1905. He transferred to the Hampshire Regiment as a captain in 1907 and to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1908, still attached to the WAFF. He served with the Argylls for the rest of his career, although attached to other regiments. From November 1908 to 1912 he served as adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Royal Scots. In November 1914 he became adjutant of the Indian Volunteers, but later moved to the 21st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. In 1915 he was promoted Major. In August 1916 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel commanding a battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. He retired in 1921.