Description
Distinguished Conduct Medal, GV, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medal, Imperial Russia, Cross of St George, numbered 972391.
DCM officially impressed: “S-6048 Pte M. Mackay. 11/A. & S. Hdrs”
Trio all officially impressed: “S-6048 Pte M. Mackay. A. & S. Highrs”
Russian Cross officially numbered on reverse: 972391. Note this example is a 4th Class, L.G. entry shows 3rd Class
The medals have been court mounted for wear. From a collection formed in the 1970s.
A tragic double gallantry grouping of Private Murdoch “Murdo” Mackay, of the 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
Every day he served in the trenches side by side with his dear cousin William Mackay, they were always sleeping, marching and fighting together, their Commanding Officer described the pair as: “They were two of my best men, always to be relied on at all times.”
Recommended for his decorations for a daring rescue of his wounded officer stranded in no man’s land, he did not live to receive the honours, being killed in action on 15th September 1916, during the great attack to Capture High Wood, during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. It was said that “and at the end your son was assisting another wounded comrade.”
Russia Cross of St George announced in the London Gazette, 15th February 1917.
Distinguished Conduct Medal announced in the London Gazette, 14th November 1916, citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry in remaining all night within 50 yards of the enemy trench with a wounded Officer. At daylight Pte MacKay crawled back from shell-hole to shell-hole for assistance and returning with assistance they managed to drag the wounded Officer back in a sheet, being frequently fired at – at close range, it took 5 hours of most dangerous and arduous work to accomplish their task.”
The event in the war diary of the regiment, 21st August 1916:
“Orders were received to the effect that the Corps decided that the trench running at east side parallel with the road should be excavated, and used to protect our flank. The trench was shown on plans and photos, actually the trench and road had been hammered out of all recognition by our ‘Marie’, consequently in the dark Lieut J.H. Hutcheson who was personally commanding the party and placing the covering party lost his bearing and was wounded by a German Sniper.
He managed to find a shell whom which he lay in and was faithfully attended to by Pte Mckay who displayed great courage & coolness. On the following morning by finding his way back to our own lines making his trip from shell hole to shell hole, by his careful foresight he was able to guide 2nd Lieut G. Beattie and R. Irvine to where Lieut Hutcheson lay.
These officers displaying great coolness and courage succesfully managed in conjunction with Pte McKay to bring Lt Hutcheson in on a waterproof sheet.”
Lieut J.H. Hutcheson who he saved, managed to recover from his wounds and was invalided home. He was later a Captain in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Previously a Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University. As the war ended he died in March 1919.
Falkirk Herald 30th September 1916:
DIED AT HIS POST, GALLANTRY BONNYBRIDGE SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION, THE SECOND MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY TO FALL.
Last Saturday, we announced that Private Murdoch Mackay, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, had for conspicuous gallantry in the field, been recommended for recognition and today it is with regret that we have to record his death, he having been killed in action.
An officer writing to his father, Mr. Mackay, Drum Terrace, High Bonnybridge, under date of 15th September, says:
“Dear Mr. Mackay, It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of your son Murdoch Mackay, 6048, on the 15th inst., in the great attack on that date.
He was one of my bombers, and has always behaved splendidly under all conditions.
On the 21st August he acted most conspicuously in leading another officer and myself out to where his company officer lay wounded, and together we managed to save him.
I recommended your son and the Colonel of our regiment highly commended him, and I hear that he has since been awarded the Order of St. George, third class.
His coolness under fire was a great inspiration to his comrades, who all knew him and thoroughly respected him, and they all deeply sympathise with you in your loss, which is also ours.
Your son, with his cousin, William Mackay, were two of my best men, always to be relied on at all times. They were constantly together in the trenches, sleeping, marching, fighting together, and at the end your son was assisting another wounded comrade.
I hope that you have comfort in knowing that he died at his post, and may God give you comfort in this, your great loss”.
Private Mackay, who was 21 years of age, enlisted about a year ago, prior to which he was in the employment of Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Co., Limited. A brother, Private James Mackay, Royal Scots, was killed in action about a year ago, while another brother, Private Alex. Mackay, Seaforth Highlanders, is at present in hospital wounded. The sympathy of the community is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Mackay and family in this, their second bereavement through the war.”
An earlier wound, Falkirk Herald, 2nd October 1915:
“Bonnybridge, Pte. Murdoch McKay, 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Mrs. McKay, 2 Drum Terrace, has received a report that he son, Private Murdoch McKay, 11th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders has been wounded. He enlisted on 1st October 1914. A kilnburner to trade, he was employed by the Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Co., Limited. A brother of Private McKay was killed in action on 23rd August 1914, while another brother, Private Alex. McKay, is with the Second, 5th Seaforth Highlanders.”
Falkirk Herald, 18th November 1916:
“Well won! Such is the general opinion regarding the posthumous honour of D.C.M. conferred on Private Murdock Mackay. He seems, according to the official report, to have won his honour twice over. His display of courage and determination in the face of great odds, will, we feel sure, be difficult to eclipse in the history of this great war. Had he only lived to enjoy the honour!”
