Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean VC

Name: Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean

Conflict: Tirah Campaign

Gazetted: November 9, 1897 and January 15, 1907 *

Service: Indian Army

Place/date of birth: Bannu, India (now Pakistan)/September 13, 1870

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Lieutenant

Date of bravery: August 17, 1897

London Gazette citation:

November 9, 1897:

Lieutenant Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean, Indian Staff Corps, on account of his gallant conduct as recorded above, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the Victoria Cross had he survived.

January 15, 1907 [joint citation]:

The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the Victoria Cross being delivered to the representatives of the undermentioned Officers and men who fell in the performance of acts of valour, and with reference to whom it was notified in the London Gazette that they would have been recommended to Her late Majesty for the Victoria Cross had they survived:—

“Lieutenant Hector Lachlan Stewart MacLean, Indian Staff Corps, on account of his gallant conduct, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the Victoria Cross had he survived. During the fighting at Nawa Kili, in Upper Swat, on the 17th August, 1897, Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Adams proceeded with Lieutenants H. L. S. MacLean and Viscount Fincastle, and five men of the Guides, under a very heavy and close fire, to the rescue of Lieutenant R. T. Greaves, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was lying disabled by a bullet wound and surrounded by the enemy’s swordsmen. In bringing him under cover he (Lieutenant Greaves) was struck by a bullet and killed. Lieutenant MacLean was mortally wounded, whilst the horses of Lieutenant-Colonel Adams and Lieutenant Viscount Fincastle were shot, as well as two troop horses.”

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Nawa Kili, Upper Swat, India/ August 17, 1897

Grave/memorials: Guides Cemetery, Mardan, Pakistan; St Albans Church, Mardan, Pakistan; St Luke’s Church, Chelsea, London

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection:  Purchased privately, 2003

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum

* MacLean’s courage was initially noted in the London Gazette at a time when it was not permitted to be awarded the VC posthumously. He was awarded the VC in 1907 after an amendment of the rules.