"Sergeant John McAulay VC DCM, 1st Battalion Scots Guards"

by David Rowlands

Image Size 58 x 38 cm

Police Constable John McAuley from Polmadie, Glasgow, joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in 1914.

On 27th November 1917, at Fontaine Notre Dame, during the Battle of Cambrai, Sergeant McAulay, aged 28, assumed command of his company after all its officers had become casualties. Under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, the company successfully held and consolidated the objectives gained. He reorganised the company and noticing a counter-attack developing, repulsed it by the skilful and bold use of machine-guns, causing heavy enemy casualties. When his company commander, Lieutenant Arthur Kinnaird, was wounded by machine gun fire, Sergeant McAulay reached the stricken officer, lifted him onto his shoulders and carried him a considerable distance to a safer location, while under heavy fire. He performed valiantly in doing this duty, and did not waver despite being knocked off his feet twice by exploding shells. For his heroic actions, Sergeant McAulay was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Victor MacKenzie, recommended him for a gallantry award, saying, "He took command of the company after all his officers had been hit, cheered and encouraged them, brought back Arthur [Kinnaird] and many wounded men from positions of danger, beat back a counter attack, killed several Germans and was altogether splendid. I am recommending him for a VC, but they are hard to get."

After the war he resumed his career in the police force in Glasgow rising to the rank of Inspector before retiring in 1948. He died in 1956, aged 67.