Allastair McReady-Diarmid
Allastair McReady-Diarmid | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 21 March 1888 Southgate, London |
| Died | 1 December 1917 (aged 29) near Mœuvres, France |
| Buried | Remembered on the Cambrai Memorial |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1917 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | The Middlesex Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid VC (21 March 1888 – 1 December 1917) was a British 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[edit]
He was 29 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 17th (S) Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 30 November/1 December 1917 at the Moeuvres Sector, France, when the enemy penetrated into our position, and the situation was extremely critical, Captain McReady-Diarmid led his company through a heavy barrage and immediately engaged the enemy and drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and taking 27 prisoners. The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all its officers. The captain called for volunteers, and leading the attack, again drove them back. It was entirely due to his throwing of bombs that the ground was regained, but he was eventually killed by a bomb.[1]
He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.[2]
Further information[edit]
As a boy, McReady-Diarmid went to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys, Barnet, Hertfordshire. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, England.
References[edit]
- ^ "No. 30578". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 March 1918. p. 3305.
- ^ CWGC entry
Bibliography[edit]
- Gliddon, Gerald (2004) [2012]. VCs of the First World War: Cambrai 1917. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-75-247668-1.
External links[edit]
- The Middlesex Regiment 1755-1966 (detailed history of the original "Die Hards")
- 1888 births
- 1917 deaths
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Middlesex Regiment officers
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- People educated at Victoria College, Jersey
- People from Southgate, London
- People educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School for Boys
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Military personnel from London