John Meikle

Charging machine-gun posts to clear the way for his comrades

John Meikle was born on 11 September 1898 at Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, to John and Annie Meikle. His family moved to Nitshill in 1901, where his father worked in the local chemical industry. Educated at Levern Public School, he became a clerk at Nitshill station on the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway in 1913.

On 8 February 1915, aged sixteen, Meikle enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders at Glasgow. After recruit training and instruction with the Lewis gun, he went to France in July 1916 and joined the 1/4th Battalion, part of the 51st (Highland) Division. He fought on the Somme and at Arras, and was wounded during his service. His bravery during the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 earned him the Military Medal. The award was announced while he was a lance-corporal. When he returned to Nitshill on leave that November, local people presented him with a gold watch. He returned to France and became a sergeant in 1918.

On 20 July 1918, the 4th Seaforth Highlanders were advancing near Marfaux in the Ardre valley during the Second Battle of the Marne. Enemy machine guns stopped Meikle's company. Armed with a revolver and a heavy stick, he attacked a nest alone, firing at the crews of its two guns and overcoming the remaining defenders with his stick. He then stood and beckoned his comrades forward.

Another machine gun soon halted the advance and endangered the neighbouring company. With most of his platoon already casualties, Meikle took a fallen comrade's rifle and bayonet and charged again. He was killed close to the gun, but his attack enabled two men following him to silence it. He was nineteen. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously for these actions. He is buried in Marfaux British Cemetery, France.

Official Victoria Cross citation London Gazette, 16 September 1918

No. 200854 Sjt. John Meikle, M.M., late Sea. Highrs. (Nitshill).

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when his company, having been held up by machine-gun fire, he rushed single-handed a machine-gun nest. He emptied his revolver into the crews of the two guns and put the remainder out of action with a heavy stick. Then, standing up, he waved his comrades on.

Very shortly afterwards another hostile machine gun checked progress, and threatened also the success of the company on the right. Most of his platoon having become casualties, Sjt. Meikle seized the rifle and bayonet of a fallen comrade, and again rushed forward against the gun crew, but was killed almost on the gun position. His bravery allowed two other men who followed him to put this gun out of action.

This gallant non-commissioned officer's valour, devotion to duty, and utter disregard for his personal safety was an inspiring example to all.