Battles and wars World War II Role Armed force officer | Name John MacGregor Rank Lieutenant Colonel | |
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Born 1 February 1889Cawdor, Scotland ( 1889-02-01 ) Buried at Cranberry Lake Cemetery, Powell River Years of service 1915 - 1919, 1940 - 1946 Similar People Henry Horne - 1st Baron Ho, Georg von der Marwitz, Julian Byng - 1st Viscount, Otto von Below | ||
John MacGregor VC MC & Bar DCM ED (1 February 1889 – 9 June 1952) was a Scottish-Canadian soldier. MacGregor was a 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. MacGregor served in the Canadian army in both world wars.
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Macgregor was born in Cawdor near Nairn, Scotland in 1889 and moved to Canada in 1909. He served in the army from 1915 to 1919. MacGregor was 29 years old, and a temporary captain in the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed during the Battle of the Canal du Nord took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
During the period 29 September/3 October 1918 near Cambrai, France, Captain MacGregor acted with most conspicuous bravery and leadership. He led his company under intense fire, and although wounded, located and put out of action enemy machine-guns which were checking progress, killing four and taking eight prisoners. He then reorganised his command under heavy fire and in the face of stubborn resistance continued the advance. Later, after a personal daylight reconnaissance under heavy fire, he established his company in Neuville St. Remy, thereby greatly assisting the advance into Tilloy.
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MacGregor served again from 1940 to 1946, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel commanding the 2nd The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's). He is buried at Cranberry Lake Cemetery, Powell River, British Columbia.
His biography was published under the title MacGregor V.C..
MacGregor's Victoria Cross and other medals are on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.[1]