George Findlay

Template:Short descriptionTemplate:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military personColonel George de Cardonnel Elmsall Findlay VC MC & Bar (20 August 1889 – 26 June 1967) 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.

Biography

Born in Cardross, Dunbartonshire in 1889.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was educated at St Ninian's Prep School, Moffat and Harrow School. He was one of four brothers who enlisted in WW1. His brother Robert was killed in the Quintinshill Rail disaster<ref>Dunbartonshire men in the railway accident-Lennox Herald 29 May 1915 </ref>

Findlay was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in January 1910. He was awarded a Military Cross for gallantry at the Battle of Passchendale and was mentioned in despatches.<ref>Captain George Findlay mentioned in despatches-Dumbarton Herald, and County Advertiser 16 May 1917 </ref> Following this which he took command of 409 (Lowland) Field Company, a territorial company in June 1917.Template:Fact

In September 1921 Findlay married Dorothy Gordon at St Ninian's Episcopal Church in Glasgow.<ref>Dunbartonshire VC's wedding -Dumbarton Herald, and County Advertiser 14 Sept 1921</ref> The marriage was later dissolved and he married Nellie Constance Barclay Clark in 1959.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

VC details

He was 29 years old, and an acting major in the 409 (Lowland) Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the First World War when he was awarded the VC.<ref>Major George Findlay VC - Lennox Herald 6 Dec 1919 </ref>

On 4 November 1918 during the forcing of the Sambre-Oise Canal at the lock south of Catillon, France, Major Findlay was with the leading bridging and assaulting parties which came under heavy fire and the advance was stopped. Nevertheless, he collected what men he could and repaired the bridge, under incessant fire. Although wounded he continued with his task and after two unsuccessful efforts managed to place the bridge in position across the lock and was the first man across, remaining at this dangerous post until further work was completed.

The family story goes that the reason Major Findlay crossed safely was because he was a slow runner. The Germans overcompensated their aim and thus missed him as he led his men across the bridge.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Further information

He achieved the rank of colonel and served in World War II. He became Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Dumbarton in 1957.

Findlay died in June 1967 is buried at Kilmaronock Church, near Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Col G De C E Findlay VC-The Scotsman - 27 June 1967</ref>

Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent.

References

KIlmaronock Church

Bibliography

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
• Location of grave and VC medal (Strathclyde)