David Stuart McGregor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Stuart McGregor
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| Born | 16 October 1895 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 22 October 1918 (aged 23) † Hoogemolen, Belgium |
| Buried |
Stasegem Communal Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | The Royal Scots Machine Gun Corps |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
David Stuart McGregor was a very brave Scottish soldier who lived from 1895 to 1918. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest and most respected award for courage in the face of the enemy. This special medal is given to soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. David was a soldier with The Royal Scots during the First World War. He was given the VC after he died, for his amazing actions on October 22, 1918, during a major battle called the Hundred Days Offensive.
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Growing Up in Scotland
David Stuart McGregor was born on October 16, 1895, in a place called Corstorphine, which is west of Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, who was also named David, worked in the clothing business. David went to two schools, George Watson's College and then George Heriot's School. In 1911, when he was about 16 years old, he started working at the Commercial Bank of Scotland. Two years later, he joined the Territorial Force, serving in a group called the Midlothian Royal Field Artillery.
Fighting in the Great War
When the First World War started, David McGregor joined the British Army. He became an officer in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots. At first, he was sent to Egypt. But by 1916, he was fighting on the Western Front, which was a very important battle line in France and Belgium. After getting special training, he joined the Machine Gun Corps (MGC).
A Heroic Act in Belgium
On October 22, 1918, during the Hundred Days Offensive, David McGregor was leading a group of machine guns. His job was to help another group of soldiers move forward near a place called Hoogemolen in Belgium. But the soldiers came under heavy machine gun fire from a nearby hill. This stopped them from moving ahead.
Even though bullets were flying everywhere, David McGregor bravely went forward. He found where the enemy guns were. He realized it would take too long to carry his own machine guns by hand because the ground was open and dangerous. So, he told his men to follow a safer path. Then, he got onto a special cart called a limber and galloped forward about 600 yards (about 550 meters) under intense enemy fire to get to cover. The driver, horses, and even the cart were hit, but David managed to get his machine guns into position.
He then used his guns to fire effectively at the enemy. This helped the other soldiers start moving forward again. With incredible bravery, he kept putting himself in danger to guide and control his guns' fire. About an hour later, he was sadly killed. His amazing courage and dedication were admired by everyone. Because of his actions, he was given the Victoria Cross after he died.
The Victoria Cross Award
The Victoria Cross was created in 1856. It is the highest award for bravery that a soldier in the British Empire can receive. The official statement about why David McGregor received the VC said:
"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Hoogemolen on 22nd of October, 1918, when in command of a section of machineguns attached to the right flank platoon of the attacking battalion. Immediately the troops advanced they were subjected to intense enfilade machinegun fire from Hill 66 on the right flank. Lt. McGregor fearlessly went forward and located the enemy guns, and realised it was impossible to get his guns carried forward either by pack or by hand without great delay, as the ground was absolutely bare and fire-swept. Ordering his men to follow by a more covered route, he mounted the limber and galloped forward under intense fire for about 600 yards to cover. The driver, horses, and limber were all hit but Lt. McGregor succeeded in getting the guns into action, effectively engaging the enemy, and enabling the advance to be resumed. With the utmost gallantry he continued to expose himself in order to direct and control the fire of his guns until, about an hour later, he was killed. His great gallantry and supreme devotion to duty were the admiration of all ranks."
—The London Gazette, 13 December 1918
Burial and Memorial
David McGregor's body was found, and he is buried in the Stasegem Communal Cemetery in West Flanders, Belgium. This cemetery is about four kilometers east of a town called Kortrijk. A special memorial stone and plaque were put up in his honor at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. It was unveiled on October 22, 2018, which was 100 years after he died.
The Victoria Cross Medal
King George V personally presented David McGregor's Victoria Cross medal to his parents on February 15, 1919. This special ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace in London. In 1976, David's Victoria Cross was given to the Royal Scots. Today, you can see it displayed at the Royal Scots Museum inside Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
