Major (Lt/Col) JF McKay VC Tyneside Scottish

[ianjonesncl]

Major JF McKay VC joined the 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) in August 1915. It would seem he met with a serious accident which prevented him from deploying to France with the TS in January 1916. He was posted to the Highland Light Infantry in August 1916.

Did he ever serve with the Tyneside Scottish in France ?

I have gone through the 21 NF War Diary from January 1916 to September 1916 and can see no reference to him.

Information

Tyneside Scottish Graham Stuart / John Sheen

McKay John Frederick VC

From A & SH as 2^nd CO [second in Command] 2^ND TS 21^st August 1915

To HLI 28^TH August 1916

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At the time Major McKay joined the Tyneside Scottish on 21^st August 1915, they were based at Windmill Hill, under canvas on Salisbury Plain. They moved to a hutted camp at Longbridge Deverill, near Warminster, 26^th September 1915.

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The Story of the Tyneside Scottish Brigadier General Trevor Ternan

"It was unfortunate that about this time we were to lose the services of two very valuable officers. One of these was Major J.F. McKay, V.C. , the second in command of the 2^nd Battalion, who met with a serious accident which laid him up for some considerable time, and prevented his accompanying his Battalion to France"

[sotonmate]

Ian

I sought a service record reference for him in the NA Catalogue. In the absence of a reference in WO339 it is likely that he served beyond WW1 so his record would not be in the public domain as yet.

Sotonamte

[ianjonesncl]

Sotonamte

Many thanks for the look up in the NA - much appreciated.

He did indeed serve beyond WW1 retiring in 1921.

In 1916, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, taking command of the 2/6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, which appointment he held until the battalion was disbanded. Lieutenant Colonel MacKay was, in August 1919, serving with his regiment, the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Lieutenant Colonel MacKay retired in 1921.

Ian