THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

McCRAE John

Service in South Africa

8/2068, Major, 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 1 January 1918

Operations Messines 7th to 12th June 1917.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  Major J. McCrae commanded the 2nd Otago Battalion during the above operations, and showed great coolness and ability in handling his Battalion, Repeatedly reconnoitring the forward positions under heavy artillery fire.  When Lieutenant Colonel STEWART, commanding the 2nd Canterbury Battalion was severely wounded on the 7th June, Major McCRAE went forward and assisted the 2nd Canterbury Battalion which he was supporting with his own Battalion.  Throughout the whole operations he set a splendid example of courage and initiative to all ranks.  As second in command he has, throughout, carried out his duties in the most efficient manner and was responsible for the building of forward assembly trenches preparatory to the above operations, the task which he carried out with the greatest skill.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 28 December 1917

Mentioned in Field Marshall D. Haig's despatch of 7 November 1917 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period February 26th to midnight September 20-21st 1917.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order

Queen’s South Africa Medal

      Cape Colony, Modder River, Paardeberg, Orange Free State, Driefontein, Transvaal

King’s South Africa Medal

       South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

       Mention in Despatches

NOTES

Born 1879, Stewarton, Scotland

Died 17 April 1962, Dunedin, New Zealand