The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Keptie

The MAIL ON SUNDAY for 13 February 2011 reports that the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND branch at Nairn are to erect a Memorial in memory of CAWDOR born Soldier of the Great War . He had emigrated to Canada from Cawdor in Nairnshire as he did not wish to be a tenant farmer and behold to a landlord . On the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted in the CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES during March 1915 as he was born in 1889 . He made his way up the ranks and was awarded the DISTINQUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL as well as a MILITARY CROSS and BAR before winning his VICTORIA CROSS .

After the War Captain John MacGregor he returned to Canada and settled in Vancover where he married and raised a family . He died in 1952.

David Shillabeer of the Nairn branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland said in this newspaper article " John MacGregor 's life is like something out of a Boys Own adventure book. I'd heard bits and pieces about him from people in Cawdor but it was only when I started looking into his life that the full picture emerged . His son in Canada has writtten a book about his experiences and its an incredible story . But Jock was a very humble man and news of what he went through did not travel far .

"They are currently talking about refurbishing the centre of Nairn and we are discussing building a permanent memorial to this incredible man ."

hope this is of interest to everyone but maybe others will have read the story in the Mail on Sunday . ( I had the newspaper cutting given to me only today !

Patrick W Anderson

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