Sir Herbert Macpherson | |
|---|---|
 Sir Herbert Macpherson | |
| Born | 22 January 1827 Ardersier,Inverness-shire |
| Died | 20 October 1886 (aged 59) Prone,Burma |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service | |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Unit | |
| Commands | Madras Army |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
Lieutenant-GeneralSir Herbert Taylor MacphersonVC KCB KCSI (22 January 1827 – 20 October 1886) was aScottish recipient of theVictoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritish andCommonwealth forces.
Macpherson, was born atArdersier, nearFort George in Scotland, the son of an officer in the78th Highlanders. In 1845 he was commissionedensign in his father's former regiment. Travelling with the regiment to India, he served in thePersian campaign of 1857 and in theIndian Mutiny the following year.[1]
He was 30 years old, and alieutenant in the78th Highlanders (later TheSeaforth Highlanders)British Army, during theIndian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857 atsiege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:
For distinguished conduct at Lucknow, on the 25th September, 1857, in setting an example of heroic gallantry to the men of the regiment, at the period of the action, in which they captured two brass nine-pounders at the point of the bayonet.
— Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, 17 October 1857[2]
Promoted captain in October 1857, he served at the defence of theAlambagh, and asbrigade major during the final capture of Lucknow, where he was wounded. He was also promotedbrevet major.[1]
After the Indian Mutiny, Macpherson transferred to theIndian Army. He served on theNorth-West Frontier in the Black Mountain campaign of 1868, theLushai Expedition in 1871–72, and theJowaki Expedition of 1877. During theSecond Anglo-Afghan War he commanded a brigade that advanced up toKhyber Pass in 1878–79[1] and, during the second phase of the war in 1879–80, a brigade of theKabul Field Force.[3] For his service in Afghanistan, he was given the local rank of major-general in October 1880,[4] and made a knight commander of theOrder of the Bath (KCB) in March 1881.[5]
In July 1882 Macpherson was promoted to lieutenant-general,[6] and given command of the Indian contingent that served in theEgypt campaign, including thebattle of Tell El Kebir.[1] For this, he was made a knight commander of theOrder of the Star of India (KCSI) in November 1882,[7] and the TurkishOrder of the Medjidie, second class.[8]
Returning to India, in March 1886 he became Commander-in-Chief of theMadras Army[9] and, after travelling to Burma to take command during theThird Anglo-Burmese War, he died of fever on the steamerIrrawaddy, on 20 October 1886.[1]
Herbert's father was Col Duncan MacPherson of the 78th Regt, Herbert had 10 siblings all apparently without a mother. His elder brother being Maj Gen Sir James Duncan MacPherson KCB, In 1859, he married Maria Eckford, daughter of Lieutenant-generalJames Eckford, C.B.[1] they had 3 children, 1 daughter and 2 sons, both his sons served as officers in the Army
Macpherson's awards, including his Victoria Cross, are displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queen's Own Highlanders atFort George,Inverness-shire, Scotland.[10][11]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | C-in-C, Madras Army 1886 | Succeeded by |
