Donald Mackintosh VC

b. 07/02/1896 Glasgow, Scotland. d. 11/04/1917 Fampoux, France.

Donald MacKintosh (1896-1917) was born at the Superintendent’s House, Western Infirmary, Partick, Glasgow on 7th February 1896. His father was Colonel Donald James Mackintosh CB MVO MB CM LL.D FRS Edin. In 1901, he was commissioned as a Surgeon Lieutenant in The Glasgow Companies, Volunteer Medical Staff Corps and served as Chairman of the Medical and Executive Committee of the Scottish National Red Cross Hospitals during the South African War. He was mentioned in despatches, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 1st April 1908 to command 3rd Scottish General Hospital and was Assistant Director of Medical Services, 65th (2nd Lowland) Division from 1st April 1912, supervising all military hospitals in Glasgow. He was also Infirmary Superintendent of Western Infirmary, Glasgow. He married Donald junior’s mother, Margaret “Maggie” nee Fullarton at Station Hotel, Perth on 19th December 1894.

Donald Mackintosh VC

Donald junior had a sister, Anna Fullarton Mackintosh born in 1904. Donald was educated at Glasgow Academy, St Ninian’s School at Moffat and Fettes College from 1911 until December 1913. He enlisted into 3rd Scottish General Hospital RAMC on 14th August 1914 as a Sergeant. Having been discharged to the Reserve on 13th February, he was commissioned into the Special Reserve of Officers, Seaforth Highlanders on 20th February 1915 and was posted to 9th Battalion. He went to France on 29th September 1915 and was promoted Lieutenant on 2nd February 1916. He was shot in the left arm and shoulder on 21st March 1916 and was evacuated to England, and was treated in Yorkhill War Hospital in Glasgow. He was not declared fit until November, and joined 2nd Battalion on 13th January 1917. He attended the XV Corps Lewis Gun School from January to February 1917.

On 11th April 1917 north of Fampoux, France, during the initial advance, Lieutenant Mackintosh was shot through the right leg, but although crippled, continued to lead his men, and captured the trench. He then collected men of another company who had lost their leader and drove back a counter-attack, when he was again wounded and although unable to stand, nevertheless continued to control the situation. With only 15 men left he ordered them to be ready to advance to the final objective and with great difficulty got out of the trench, encouraging them to advance. He was wounded yet again and fell.

Donald was buried in Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France. As he never married, the medal was presented to his parents by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 21st July 1917. In addition to the VC, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19. His VC is held by the Queen’s Own Highlanders Museum, Fort George, Ardersier, Inverness.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: QUEENS OWN HIGHLANDERS, FORT GEORGE.

BURIAL PLACE: BROWN’S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, FRANCE.

PLOT II, ROW C, GRAVE 49.

Acknowledgements:

Kevin Brazier – Cemetery Plan.

Thomas Stewart – Image of the Mackintosh VC Medal Group at Queens Own Highlanders Museum, Fort George, Scotland, and the VC Stone at Glasgow Academy.