Hugh McIver VC MM & Bar, was born in Linwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1890 to Hugh McIver and Mary McIver (nee Flynn) but grew up in Newton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.[1]
Hugh was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Lothian Regiment) of the British Army and fought in the first World War (WW1).[2]
Hugh was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), which was presented to his parents, Hugh and Mary in 1919, at Buckingham Palace by King George V. In a letter to Mary McIver enclosing Hugh's Military Medal and Rose, Hugh's commanding officer, Captain Alick Gordon expressed great sympathy for the loss of her son and stating that Hugh was "...one of the best and bravest boys in the battalion; in fact, the bravest I have ever known."[3]
Hugh was awarded the VC for his gallant actions on 23 August 1918 near Courcelles, France during the Hundred Days Offensive at the end of WW1, the citation stating: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion when employed as a runner on 23rd August 1918, to the east of Courcelles-de-Comte, France. He carried messages regardless of his own safety. Single-handed he pursued an enemy scout into a machine gun post, and, having killed six of the garrison, captured 20 prisoners along with two machine guns. This action enabled the company to advance unchecked. Later he succeeded at great personal risk in stopping the fire of a British tank which was directed in error against our troops at close range. By this very gallant action Private McIver undoubtedly saved many lives."[4]
Hugh was tragically killed in action ten days later near Courcelles-de-Comte, at the age of 28, when he was shot by a sniper. Hugh's other medals include the Military Medal (with bar), the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal (1914-19), which are on display alongside his VC medal, at Edinburgh Castle in the Royal Scots Museum.[5]
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Categories: Vraucourt Copse Cemetery, Vaulx-Vraucourt, Pas-de-Calais | Victoria Cross | The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) | British War Medal | Victory Medal | 1914-1915 Star | Hundred Days Offensive | Killed in Action, United Kingdom, World War I