John MacGregor (VC)

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.[1] MacGregor served in the Canadian army in both world wars.

John MacGregor
Born(1889-02-01)1 February 1889
Cawdor, Scotland
Died9 June 1952(1952-06-09) (aged 63)
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
Buried
Cranberry Lake Cemetery, Powell River
Allegiance Canada
Service/branchCanadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service1915 - 1919, 1940 - 1946
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles
Commands held2nd Battalion, The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)
Battles/wars
  • First World War
  • Second World War
Awards

Details

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.[2]

Freemasonry

He was initiated into Freemasonry in Tyee Lodge, No.66, (Prince Rupert, British Columbia) on 20 March 1920, Passed on 29 September 1920 and Raised on 8 March 1921. After serving during WWII he joined Westview Lodge, No.133, (Powell River, British Columbia) on 2 May 1950.[3]

Further information

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.

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References
  1. Date of birth is 11 February 1889 in two Canadian sources, Valiant Men by John Swettenham published in Toronto in 1973 and http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/vcg-gcv/bio/macgregor-j-eng.asp which is believed to have been the date on his attestation papers. His birth certificate states 1 February 1889
  2. "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 January 1919. p. 305.
  3. The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. pp.303 - 310. ISBN 978-0-9563661-7-7

Further reading
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