Harcus Strachan

Led a cavalry charge and brought his surviving men home safe

Harcus Strachan was born in Borrowstounness, Scotland, on 7 November. He studied in Edinburgh before emigrating to Canada, where he worked in farming. In 1915 he enlisted for overseas service and subsequently joined the Fort Garry Horse. He rose through the ranks before receiving a commission in 1916.

Serving with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in France, Strachan demonstrated courage in a dismounted raid near Saint-Quentin in May 1917. His party attacked German outposts and took prisoners without suffering a casualty. He received the Military Cross for his leadership. Wounded that July, he returned to duty.

On 20 November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai, Lieutenant Strachan rode with B Squadron near Masnières. When the squadron commander was killed, he assumed command and led the survivors through German machine-gun positions. They charged an artillery battery, where Strachan killed seven gunners with his sword. After silencing the guns, the Canadians cut telephone communications behind the German front.

Isolated from their own troops, Strachan rallied his men and led them back through enemy territory after dark. All unwounded survivors returned, bringing fifteen prisoners. His combination of personal bravery and determined command earned the Victoria Cross, announced in December 1917.

Strachan survived the war and returned to Canada. He settled in Edmonton and built a civilian career in farming and banking while continuing his military connections. During the Second World War he again served, eventually commanding the 1st Battalion, Edmonton Fusiliers, as a lieutenant-colonel.

After the war he retired to Vancouver. He remained associated with the Fort Garry Horse and lived to see the Canadian Centennial and Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. He died in Vancouver on 1 May 1982. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in North Vancouver.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

For most conspicuous bravery and leadership during operations.

He took command of the squadron of his regiment when the squadron leader, approaching the enemy front line at a gallop, was killed. Lt. Strachan led the squadron through the enemy line of machine-gun posts, and then, with the surviving men, led the charge on the enemy battery, killing seven of the gunners with his sword. All the gunners having been killed and the battery silenced, he rallied his men and fought his way back at night through the enemy's line, bringing all unwounded men safely in, together with 15 prisoners.

The operation, which resulted in the silencing of an enemy battery, the killing of the whole battery personnel and many infantry, and the cutting of three main lines of telephone communication two miles in rear of the enemy's front line, was only rendered possible by the outstanding gallantry and fearless leading of this officer.

London Gazette, 18 December 1917, p.13222.