Heroism of Ross-shire remembered as Victoria Cross goes on public display
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THE heroism of a Ross-shire soldier awarded the Victoria Cross has been recounted with his medal going on public display for the first time at the Highlanders' Museum at Fort George near Ardersier.
Seaforth Highlander John Mackenzie was awarded the highest military recognition for leading a charge while wounded during the Ashanti war in West Africa in June 1900.
The Contin-born soldier, who had previously worked for a Dingwall watchmaker, acted in "a most gallant manner" as he drove the enemy headlong into the bush, according to the citation.
His medal is among the museum's rare collection of 16 Victorian Crosses awarded to men fighting for Highland regiments which until now have been stored in a vault with only replicas on show.
But following a revamp, the museum has decided to exhibit the real decorations – crafted from the bronze of a gun captured in the Crimean War and dating back to July 1857 – alongside their personal stories.
Descendants of some of the recipients attended the unveiling ceremony performed by Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, who described the collection as “remarkable”.
“I think it is a reminder to this generation of how brave our forebears were and what we owe them,” he said. “I think the story boards have been put well together so we can understand the individuals’ bravery.”
Museum director Kirstin Mackay said it was an honour to display the real decorations.
"The stories behind each of these men show tremendous brarvey in the face of true adversity," she said. "This is an invaluable part of Highland history and we are proud to have these Victoria Crosses in our collection."
Maurice Gibson, chairman of the museum board, was also delighted.
"Very few museums are in the position we, the Highlanders Museum (Queen’s Own Highlanders Collection), are in being able to display so many unique and priceless artefacts awarded for conspicuous bravery," he said.
"It makes mere mortals like me fully appreciate what these very brave men went through as they went about their business in the heat of battle”.
Guests at the ceremony included Marjorie Buntin, the great niece of Robert McBeath, a lance corporal with 5th Seaforth, who was 18 when he was awarded the VC for conspicuous bravery during the Battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917.
He was born in Fraserburgh but brought up in Kinlochbervie after his unmarried mother gave him away.
Following the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Army at 16 after lying about his age.
After the war, he emigrated to Canada and joined the North West Mounted Police but was shot and killed while on duty in 1922.
It is only in recent years that Mrs Buntin, of Dundee, discovered his story.
“This is the first time I have seen the real Victoria Cross,” she said. “It is a very proud moment.”
SERGEANT John Mackenzie was awarded the Victoria Cross in June 1900 during the 5th Ashanti War in West Africa.
The citation outlined how the 30-year-old "after working two Maxim guns under hot fire, and being wounded while doing so, volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy, which he did in a most gallant manner, leading the charge himself and driving the enemy headlong into the bush".
He was presented with the honour by King Edward VII at St James's Palace in April 1901.
He was born in August 1869, the son of a surfaceman on the Skye line at Lochluichart, and later went to work for Dingwall watchmaker Bailie Macmillan.
He enlisted with the Seaforths at Fort George in 1887 and went on to serve in the Relief of Chitral in what is now northern Pakistan and then to West Africa where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Rising through the ranks, he ultimately served as a major with the Bedfordshire Regiment during World War I and was killed on 17 May 1915 just after he had left the jumping off trench.
The Inverness Courier report at the time of his death stated: "He was the soldier's heart and mind. He threw up his trade for the army and his skill and bravery in action and his rapid rise, closely resembled those of another Ross-shire hero, Sir Hector Macdonald."
