Herbert Macpherson

This article is about the British general. For the American nuclear engineer, seeHerbert G. MacPherson.For the Australian cricketer, seeHerbert 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-GeneralSir Herbert Taylor MacphersonVCKCBKCSI(22 January 1827 – 20 October 1886) was aScottishrecipient of theVictoria Cross,the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritishandCommonwealthforces.

Early life

Macpherson, was born atArdersier,nearFort Georgein Scotland, the son of an officer in the78th Highlanders.In 1845 he was commissionedensignin his father's former regiment. Travelling with the regiment to India, he served in thePersian campaign of 1857and in theIndian Mutinythe following year.

Victoria Cross

He was 30 years old, and alieutenantin the78th Highlanders(later TheSeaforth Highlanders)British Army,during theIndian Mutinywhen the following deed took place on 25 September 1857 atsiege of Lucknowfor 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 theAlambagh,and asbrigade majorduring the final capture of Lucknow, where he was wounded. He was also promotedbrevetmajor.

Later career

After the Indian Mutiny, Macpherson transferred to theIndian Army.He served on theNorth-West Frontierin the Black Mountain campaign of 1868, theLushai Expeditionin 1871–72, and theJowaki Expeditionof 1877. During theSecond Anglo-Afghan Warhe commanded a brigade that advanced up toKhyber Passin 1878–79and, during the second phase of the war in 1879–80, a brigade of theKabul 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 theOrder 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 theEgypt campaign,including thebattle of Tell El Kebir.For this, he was made a knight commander of theOrder of the Star of India(KCSI) in November 1882,and the TurkishOrder of the Medjidie,second class.

Returning to India, in March 1886 he became Commander-in-Chief of theMadras Armyand, after travelling to Burma to take command during theThird Anglo-Burmese War,he died of fever on the steamerIrrawaddy,on 20 October 1886.

Family

Herbert's father was Col Duncan MacPherson of the 78th Regt, Herbert had 10 siblings, with his elder brother being Maj Gen Sir James Duncan MacPherson KCB, In 1859, he married Maria Eckford, daughter of Lieutenant-generalJames 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 atFort 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 orUK public library membershiprequired.)
• Major General Herbert Taylor Macpherson, VC, c.1886 Edward Deanes and Edmund Havell the younger.Portrait atNational Army Museum