John Carstairs McNeill

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John Carstairs McNeill bigraphy, stories - Recipient of the Victoria Cross

John Carstairs McNeill : biography

28 March 1831 – 25 May 1904

Major General Sir John Carstairs McNeill VC, GCVO, KCB, KCMG (28 March 1831 – 25 May 1904) 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.

Early life

He was the son of Anne Elizabeth McNeill née Carstairs, and Alexander McNeill (1791–1850) brother of Duncan McNeill, Lord Colonsay (1793–1874) and of Sir John McNeill (1795–1883).

Details

McNeill was 33 years old, and a lieutenant colonel in the 107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Light Infantry) – later The Royal Sussex Regiment), while serving as an Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant General Sir Duncan Alexander Cameron during the Invasion of Waikato (one of the campaigns in the New Zealand Wars), when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

He later achieved the rank of major general, and in retirement became an equerry to Queen Victoria.

Honours

  • Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, KCB
  • Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, KCMG
  • 2 February 1901: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, GCVO