David Lowe MacIntyre


David Lowe Macintyre VC, CB was a Scottish 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

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, the 23 years old, and a temporary lieutenant in The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, British Army, was attached to 1/6th Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry during the First World War when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 24 August 1918, and three days later, on 27 August near Hénin and Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, France, Lieutenant Macintyre, when acting as adjutant of his battalion, was constantly in evidence in the firing line and by his coolness under most heavy shell and machine-gun fire inspired the confidence of all ranks. On one occasion when extra strong barbed wire entanglements were encountered, he organised and took forward a party and under heavy fire supervised the making of gaps. Subsequently, when relieved of command of the firing line and an enemy machine-gun opened fire close to him, he rushed it single-handed, putting the team to flight, and then brought in the gun. The full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 25 October 1918, and read:
After the war, he entered the Civil Service in the Office of Works and by the time of his appointment as a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1949 New Year Honours, he was Under Secretary for Scotland in its successor, the Ministry of Works. He still held the post at his retirement in 1959.
The medal is now on display in the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle.