Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean VC (13 September 1870 - 17 August 1897) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
MacLean was educated at Fettes College. He was 26 years old, and a lieutenant in the Staff Corps and Corps of Guides, Indian Army during the Tirah Campaign, India when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 17 August 1897 at Nawa Kili, Upper Swat, India, Lieutenant Maclean, with two other officers (Robert Bellew Adams and Viscount, Alexander Edward Murray Fincastle) and five men of the Guides, went under a heavy and close fire, to the rescue of a lieutenant of the Lancashire Fusiliers who was lying disabled by a bullet wound and surrounded by enemy swordsmen. While the wounded officer was being brought under cover he was unfortunately killed by a bullet. Lieutenant Maclean was mortally wounded and four of the horses were shot.
The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
