David McGregor

Bank: Commercial Bank of Scotland

Place of work: Edinburgh Stockbridge branch

Died: 22 October 1918

David Stuart McGregor was born in Corstorphine, Edinburgh on 16 October 1895, the third child of David McGregor, a tailor and clothier, and his wife Annie. He was educated at George Watson's College and George Heriot's School, both in Edinburgh.

In December 1911, when McGregor was 16 years old, he went to work for Commercial Bank of Scotland as an apprentice at its Edinburgh North Bridge branch. The following April he transferred to Edinburgh Stockbridge branch. Outside work he was a territorial soldier, a member of the Midlothian Royal Field Artillery from 1913.

At the outbreak of war in 1914 McGregor volunteered for overseas service. In October 1915 he was commissioned into the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), and shipped out to Egypt in May 1916. Almost immediately thereafter he travelled with his battalion to the Western Front.

He served on the Somme in the summer of 1916, and later volunteered for machine gun work. Following training was posted to the Machine Gun Corps. Lieutenant David Stuart McGregor was killed in action near Hoogmolen, Belgium on 22 October 1918. He was 23 years old.

For his conduct in the incident in which he was killed, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The London Gazette stated that the medal was awarded 'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Hoogmolen on 22nd of October, 1918, when in command of a section of machine guns attached to the right flank platoon of the assaulting battalion … Lt. McGregor fearlessly went forward and located the enemy guns, and realised that it was impossible to get his guns carried forward either by pack or by hand without great delay, as the ground was absolutely bare and fire swept. Ordering his men to follow by a more covered route, he mounted the limber and galloped forward under intense fire for about 600 yards to cover. The driver, horses and limber were all hit, but Lt. McGregor succeeded in getting the guns into action, effectively engaging the enemy, subduing their fire, and enabling the advance to be resumed. With the utmost gallantry he continued to expose himself in order to direct and control the fire of his guns, until, about an hour later, he was killed. His great gallantry and supreme devotion to duty were the admiration of all ranks'. 

Lieutenant McGregor's Victoria Cross was presented to his parents by George V at Buckingham Palace on 15 February 1919.

David McGregor is commemorated on a bank war memorial at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.