George Imlach McIntosh VC

Name: George Imlach McIntosh

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: September 6, 1917

Service: Army/ Royal Air Force

Place/date of birth: Rathven, Banffshire/April 22, 1897

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Private (later Flight Sergeant)

Date of bravery: July 31, 1917

London Gazette citation:

No. 265579 Pte. George Mclntosh, Gord. Highrs. (Buckie., Banffshire).

For most conspicuous bravery when, during the consolidation of a position, his Company came under machine gun fire at close range.

Pte. Mclntosh immediately rushed forward under heavy fire, and, reaching the emplacement, he threw a Mill’s Grenade into it, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third. Subsequently, entering the dug-out, he found two light machine guns, which he carried back with him.

His quick grasp of the situation and the utter fearlessness and rapidity with which he acted, undoubtedly saved many of his comrades and enabled the consolidation to proceed unhindered by machine gun fire.

Throughout the day the cheerfulness and courage of Pte. Mclntosh was indomitable, and to his fine example, in a great measure, was due the success which attended his Company.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Aberdeen, Scotland/June 20, 1960

Grave/memorials: New Cemetery, Buckie, Banffshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 1996

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