Matthew Fontaine Maury Meiklejohn was an English 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

He was 28 years old, and a Captain in the 2nd Bn., The Gordon Highlanders, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 October 1899 at the Battle of Elandslaagte , South Africa, after the main Boer position had been captured, some men of the Gordon Highlanders who were about to assault a kopje were exposed to heavy crossfire, and having lost their leaders started to waver. Seeing this, Captain Meiklejohn rushed to the front and called on the Gordons to follow him. By his conspicuous bravery and example he rallied the men and led them against the enemy's position, where he fell, desperately wounded in four places.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Major.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum (Aberdeen, Scotland).

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

See also

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Brookwood Cemetery)
• The Brookwood Cemetery Society (Known Holders of the Victoria Cross Commemorated in Brookwood Cemetery)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.