Herbert Macpherson

This article is about the British general. For the American nuclear engineer, see Herbert G. MacPherson. For the Australian cricketer, see Herbert MacPherson (cricketer).

Sir Herbert Macpherson
Sir Herbert Macpherson
Born	22 January 1827 Ardersier, Inverness-shire
Died	20 October 1886 (aged 59) Prone, Burma
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army British Indian Army
Rank	Lieutenant-General
Unit	78th Highlanders Bengal Staff Corps
Commands	Madras Army
Battles / wars	Anglo-Persian War Indian Mutiny Lushai Expedition Jowaki Expedition Second Anglo-Afghan War 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War Third Anglo-Burmese War
Awards	Victoria Cross Order of the Bath Order of the Star of India Order of the Medjidie (Turkey)

Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor Macpherson VC KCB KCSI (22 January 1827 – 20 October 1886) 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.

Early life

Macpherson, was born at Ardersier, near Fort George in Scotland, the son of an officer in the 78th Highlanders. In 1845 he was commissioned ensign in his father's former regiment. Travelling with the regiment to India, he served in the Persian campaign of 1857 and in the Indian Mutiny the following year.

Victoria Cross

He was 30 years old, and a lieutenant in the 78th Highlanders (later The Seaforth Highlanders) British Army, during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857 at siege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:

For distinguished conduct at Lucknow, on the 25th September, 1857, in setting an example of heroic gallantry to the men of the regiment, at the period of the action, in which they captured two brass nine-pounders at the point of the bayonet.

— Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, 17 October 1857

Promoted captain in October 1857, he served at the defence of the Alambagh, and as brigade major during the final capture of Lucknow, where he was wounded. He was also promoted brevet major.

Later career

After the Indian Mutiny, Macpherson transferred to the Indian Army. He served on the North-West Frontier in the Black Mountain campaign of 1868, the Lushai Expedition in 1871–72, and the Jowaki Expedition of 1877. During the Second Anglo-Afghan War he commanded a brigade that advanced up to Khyber Pass in 1878–79 and, during the second phase of the war in 1879–80, a brigade of the Kabul Field Force. For his service in Afghanistan, he was given the local rank of major-general in October 1880, and made a knight commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in March 1881.

In July 1882 Macpherson was promoted to lieutenant-general, and given command of the Indian contingent that served in the Egypt campaign, including the battle of Tell El Kebir. For this, he was made a knight commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI) in November 1882, and the Turkish Order of the Medjidie, second class.

Returning to India, in March 1886 he became Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army and, after travelling to Burma to take command during the Third Anglo-Burmese War, he died of fever on the steamer Irrawaddy, on 20 October 1886.

Family

Herbert's father was Col Duncan MacPherson of the 78th Regt, Herbert had 10 siblings all apparently without a mother. His elder brother being Maj Gen Sir James Duncan MacPherson KCB, In 1859, he married Maria Eckford, daughter of Lieutenant-general James Eckford, C.B. they had 3 children, 1 daughter and 2 sons, both his sons served as officers in the Army

The medal

Macpherson's awards, including his Victoria Cross, are displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queen's Own Highlanders at Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland.

External links

• Chichester, H. M.; Falkner, James. "Macpherson, Sir Herbert Taylor". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17726. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
• Major General Herbert Taylor Macpherson, VC, c.1886 Edward Deanes and Edmund Havell the younger. Portrait at National Army Museum