Samuel McGaw VC (1838 – 22 July 1878) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Samuel McGaw VC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1838 Kirkmichael, Ayrshire |
| Died | 22 July 1878 Larnaca, Cyprus |
| Buried | British Cemetery, Kyrenia, Cyprus |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 42nd Regiment of Foot |
| Battles / wars | Indian Mutiny Third Anglo-Ashanti War |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Details
editMcGaw was about 36 years old, and a lance-sergeant in the 42nd Regiment of Foot (later The Black Watch Royal Highlanders), British Army during the First Ashanti Expedition when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 January 1874 at the Battle of Amoaful, Ashanti (now Ghana), Lance-Sergeant McGaw led his section through the bush in a most excellent manner and continued to do so throughout the day, although badly wounded early in the engagement.[1]
Further information
editHe later achieved the rank of sergeant. He died of a fever whilst serving with his regiment in Cyprus. He is now buried in The Old British Cemetery in Kyrenia, North Cyprus.[2][3]
The medal
editSamuel McGaw's Victoria Cross is on public display in the Lord Ashcroft VC Gallery at the Imperial War Museum in London.[4]
References
edit- ^ "No. 24082". The London Gazette. 31 March 1874. p. 1921.
- ^ "The Old British Cemetery". St Andrew's Church, Kyrenia. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
- ^ Hunter, David. "Sergeant Samuel McGaw - Victoria Cross". Maybole.org. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
- ^ "Lord Ashcroft VC Collection". Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)