Macfarlane John Tennant Lieut

SKR/DAT/IP/21493

Macfarlane John Tennant Lieut

2000-2024

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Surname: Macfarlane;

Forename(s): John Tennant;

Initials: JT;

Rank: Lieut;

Born in: Glasgow;

MGC Branch: Motors;

MGC Unit: 11 Bty;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 26-Sep-1915;

Other Data: Mentioned in war diary 1/10/1915 - mortally wounded in fourth attack - he rallied the Northumberlands - stood on the parapet to encourage them and led them for 25 yards when he fell. One of the gunners and two cyclists carried him into the trench and later to the dressing station at Loos. If he had stayed by his guns instead of so bravely helping the situation, might be alive today.
MMGS: NOK: Mrs Mary Frew MacFarlane (mother) Gowanbrae, Bearsden, Glasgow.
Buried in garden of last house on right side of road from Loos leading to Hill 70. On his National Archives file: name tag taken from tunic bearing name Lt MacFarlane, manufacturer Thos Smith & Son, Harrow-on-the-Hill.
Family: (sister) Mignon Macfarlane age 29 (now Mrs David Clark) of Glencarrin, Alder Rd, Hill Park, Glasgow, brother: James B MacFarlane (24) 14 Londons (wounded) now RFA brother: Edward F MacFarlane (21) resident with mother.
Letter from David Clark (brother-in-law) to War Office: 24/1/1916: For the information of the widowed mother of the late Lt JT MacFarlane MMGS, killed in action at Loos 26/9/1915, I shall be glad if you will investigate what has been represented to us as a brave action which cost him his life. From letters we received from the front and from paragraphs which have appeared from time-to-time in the papers to the effect that he displayed great bravery and had been recommended for the DSO, his mother thought that she could take it to be authentic. Having received no official word from the War Office she was advised to write to the senior officer of 11 Bty (Major Hall) and get particulars from him. My wife wrote, in her mother's name, on two occasions requesting details, but to neither of these letters did she get a reply. Thinking possibly that the letters may have gone astray, I wrote a month ago and on this occasion took the precaution of registering the letter but so far he has taken no notice of it either. Why he should refuse to reply is difficult to understand as Lt Macfarlane was not only a most useful assistant to him, but a personal friend. We understand that the Major was not with the Battery during the action, but surely he was bound to hear what took place or for the sake of Lt Macfarlane's mother, might have made enquiries. I don't intend to trouble you with any lengthy details of what we are informed took place but if you desire any further particulars I shall be pleased to forward them. Yrs faithfully, David J Clark.
From War Office 29/1/1916: I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th and in reply would inform you that the late Lt JT MacFarlane was not awarded the DSO. I am to add that the question of rewards for services in the field is dealt with by the C-in-C in the various theatres of war, not by the War Office and that except in the case of the VC, for which special provision has been authorised, posthumous awards are not sanctioned.;

Other Notes: MACFARLANE, Lieutenant, JOHN TENNANT, Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 26th September 1915. Age 26. Son of Mrs. M. Macfarlane, of Gowanbrae, Bearsden, Glasgow. Panel 136. Loos Memorial - Pas De Calais, France.

NB: Recorded as MGC(Infantry). Could not be so. MGC not formed until October 1915.;

Related National Archives files: WO339/15870;

END OF RECORD.

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