Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Acting Captain Alexander Herbert Robins MacKay, 5th Battalion Canadian Infantry, who was accidentally killed during a machine-gun demonstration, 2 February 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (A. Capt.); Memorial Plaque (Alexander Herbert Robins Mackay) nearly extremely fine (4) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 14 November 1916. ‘Lt., Inf. (Canadian Force)’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He obtained communication with the right half of his company under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. Later he carried out a valuable reconnaissance.’

Alexander Herbert Robins MacKay was born in Larnaca, Cyprus in June 1888. He worked variously with the Peruvian Military and as a Ship’s Officer, Policeman and Rancher before enlisting into the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 23 September 1914. Going to France in 1915, he was initially employed as a Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant with the Divisional Cavalry of the C.E.F. but was for a time reduced to Private having been found guilty of ‘attempting to sell Government property’. Despite this setback he was commissioned a Lieutenant in August 1915 (London Gazette 18 August 1915). Whilst attached to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion (serving with the Western Cavalry Battalion of the Saskatchewan Regiment) he was awarded the M.C. for bravery in action. He was advanced to Acting Captain in January 1917. Acting Captain MacKay was accidentally killed during a machine-gun demonstration. The report of Lieutenant A. M. Boyd at the Court of Enquiry reads:

‘On the 2nd day of February 1917 Capt. A. H. R. MacKay expressed the desire to have a demonstration of the Lewis Gun given to him by Lieut. W. Willis. On the evening of the above date a Lewis Gun was brought to the Mess Room of “B” Company. With the Gun were a few cartridges which I did not examine, but which I took for granted to be dummies.

Lieut. Willis began his demonstration by stripping the Gun, I did not pay particular attention to what was being done or said. I heard the report of the Gun and looking up saw Capt. MacKay sitting right opposite the muzzle of the Gun. He was staring wildly and realizing that something had happened to him I ran to his assistance as also did Lieut. Willis. Looking at Lieut. Willis, Capt. MacKay said, “Good-bye old chap - write to my wife”.

He expired immediately afterwards. Lieut. Cummings ran for the doctor who arrived about seven minutes after the accident had occured.’ The Court of Enquiry found that Captain Mackay had met his death accidentally.

With gazette extracts, copied service papers and Court of Enquiry report.