Sergeant John McAulay VC DCM

1st Battalion Scots Guards

Born 23 November 1888 – Rossland Place, Kinghorn

Unveiling of Centenary Paving Stone @ War Memorial

Sunday 26 November 2017

As part of the national commemorations to the 100th anniversary of World War I, a special paving stone will be unveiled for Sergeant John McAulay at Kinghorn war memorial on Sunday 26 November 2017 very close to his birth place.

His father was a coal miner and the family was living in Kinghorn when john was born.

John McAulay joined Glasgow police before World War I and served with them again post war until 1946 becoming an inspector.

World War I started in August 1914 and in September, alongside many Glasgow policemen John McAulay joined the Scots Guards until 1918 taking part in some of the fiercest battles of World War I.

Sergeant John McAulay was mentioned in dispatches. Later he was awarded a distinguished conduct medal (2nd only to the Victoria Cross) for his actions at the Battle of Ypres in July 1916.He was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery on 27 November 1917 at Fointaine Notre Dame, France during the Battle of Cambrai.

As part of parish worship in “The Kirk by the Sea” on Sunday 26th November at 10.30 am we shall commemorate the centenary of the gaining of the Victoria Cross by Sgt John McAulay VC DCM

This is quite an honour for Kinghorn as only 5 Fife communities can claim a WWI VC; only 5 Scots Guards won a WWI VC.