Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Scotland, he received the award from British Queen Victoria on June 26, 1857, as part of the 1st investiture ceremony of the Victoria Cross at Hyde Park in London, England, for his actions as a Sergeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, British Army, on September 20, 1854, at the Battle of the Alma in Crimea. Nothing is known of his life other than he joined the Scots Fusilier Guards, served in the Crimean War, and was a recipient of the Victoria Cross. He died around the age of 60 and was buried in an unmarked grave. In April 2007, a marker was finally laid on his grave to honor his military service. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 20 September 1854, at the Battle of the Alma, Crimea, when the shot and fire from the batteries just in front of the battalion threw it into momentary disorder, it was forced out of its formation, becoming something of a huge triangle, with one corner pointing towards the enemy. A Captain was carrying the Queen's Colour which had the pole smashed and 20 bullet holes through the silk. Sergeant McKechnie held up his revolver and dashed forward, rallying the men round the Colours. He was wounded in the action." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Crimean War Medal (with Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol clasps) and the Turkish Crimean Medal. His Victoria Cross and other medals are on display at the Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards Royal Headquarters) in Wellington Barracks, Chelsea, London, England.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Scotland, he received the award from British Queen Victoria on June 26, 1857, as part of the 1st investiture ceremony of the Victoria Cross at Hyde Park in London, England, for his actions as a Sergeant in the Scots Fusilier Guards, British Army, on September 20, 1854, at the Battle of the Alma in Crimea. Nothing is known of his life other than he joined the Scots Fusilier Guards, served in the Crimean War, and was a recipient of the Victoria Cross. He died around the age of 60 and was buried in an unmarked grave. In April 2007, a marker was finally laid on his grave to honor his military service. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 20 September 1854, at the Battle of the Alma, Crimea, when the shot and fire from the batteries just in front of the battalion threw it into momentary disorder, it was forced out of its formation, becoming something of a huge triangle, with one corner pointing towards the enemy. A Captain was carrying the Queen's Colour which had the pole smashed and 20 bullet holes through the silk. Sergeant McKechnie held up his revolver and dashed forward, rallying the men round the Colours. He was wounded in the action." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the Crimean War Medal (with Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol clasps) and the Turkish Crimean Medal. His Victoria Cross and other medals are on display at the Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards Royal Headquarters) in Wellington Barracks, Chelsea, London, England.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
In Memory of
Scots Fusilier Guards
Awarded the Victoria Cross for Valour
CRIMEA
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