John Meikle

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John Meikle (VC, MM) (11 September 1898- 20 July 1918) 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.

[edit] Details

He was 19 years old, and a sergeant in the 4th Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 July 1918 near Marfaux, France, Sergeant Meikle, single-handed and armed only with a revolver and a stick, rushed and put out of action a machine-gun which was delaying his company's advance. Shortly afterwards, seizing a rifle and bayonet from a fallen comrade, he charged another machine-gun post, but was killed almost on the gun position. His bravery enabled two other men who followed him to put this gun out of action.

Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.

[edit] References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
• VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)