Major Matthew Fontaine Maury MeiklejohnVC (/ˈmiːkəlˌdʒɒn/; 27 November 1870 – 4 July 1913[1]) 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.
Details
Meiklejohn's medals on display at the Gordon Highlanders Museum.
At the Battle of Elandslaagte on the 21st October, 1899, after the main Boer position had been captured, some men of the Gordon Highlanders, when about to assault a kopje in advance, were exposed to a heavy cross-fire and, having lost their leaders, commenced to waver. Seeing this, Captain Meiklejohn rushed to the front and called on the Gordons to follow him. By his conspicuous bravery and fearless example, he rallied the men and led them against the enemy's position, where he fell, desperately wounded in four places.[2]
His VC action cost him his arm which was amputated. Despite this, he remained in the army as a staff officer. He was promoted to the substantive rank of captain of the Gordon Highlanders 22 January 1902,[3] and was seconded as a staff officer posted at Saint Helena.[4] He later achieved the rank of major.[5]
His death occurred when he was riding his horse in Hyde Park and it bolted. With only one arm to control the horse, he took the choice to steer it into some cast iron railings, in order to avoid a nursemaid who was pushing a baby in her pram. This was considered to be an act of high bravery and cost him his life. He died on 4 July 1913 and was given a hero's funeral in Brookwood Cemetery. He is commemorated by a plaque on the wall of the Hyde Park Barracks, London.
Notes
^Who's Who 1914, p. xxiii, gives 3 July as the date of death
United Kingdom
British Army
