John Carmichael (VC)

John Carmichael VC MM (1 April 1893 – 20 December 1977) 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.

John Carmichael

VC MM
Born1 April 1893
Glenmavis, North Lanarkshire
Died20 December 1977 20 December 1977(1977-12-20) (aged 84)
Glenmavis
Buried
New Monkland (Landward) Cemetery
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankSergeant
UnitRoyal Engineers
Sherwood Foresters
The North Staffordshire Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War I
Awards Victoria Cross
Military Medal

Carmichael was 24 years old, and a sergeant in the 9th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's),[1] British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 September 1917, when excavating a trench near Hill 60, Zwarteleen, Belgium, Sergeant Carmichael saw that a grenade had been unearthed and had started to burn. Rather than simply throwing the bomb out of the trench and endangering the lives of the men working on top, he immediately rushed to the spot shouting for his men to get clear, put his steel helmet over the grenade and then stood on the helmet. The grenade exploded, blowing him out of the trench causing him serious injuries, but no one else was hurt. He could not walk for a around 3 years.[2] He has quite a number of living relatives in Glasgow Scotland UK.

Freemasonry

He was initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge New Monkland, No. 88, (Airdrie, Scotland) on 9 January, Passed on 23 January and Raised on 27 March 1919.[3]

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

References
  1. "Staffordshire Regiment Museum". Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  2. "No. 30338". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917. p. 10677.
  3. The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. pp.97 - 100. ISBN 978-0-9563661-7-7
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