The Hero of Buzancy

MAJOR ANGUS MACMILLAN, D.S.O., M.C., son of the late Mr Kenneth Macmillan, Lemreway, enlisted as a private in the 2nd Batt. Seaforth Highlanders on 5th November, 1904. In August, 1911, when he held the rank of Sergeant, he purchased his discharge to the Army Reserve. On mobilisation in 1914, he immediately rejoined, and was posted to the 7th Battalion of the Seaforths as Company Quartermaster Sergeant. With that unit he went to France in May, 1915. As Company Sergeant-Major he took part in the battle of Loos, after the first attack on the 25th September, 1915. On 12th March, 1916, he was commissioned on the field, and two months later was appointed Acting Captain. After the battle of the Somme on 12th October, 1916, he was appointed Temporary Captain and awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his Company in the attack with great courage and determination, himself returning to Battalion Headquarters under very heavy fire to report the situation. Later he established a good trench in a forward position." In April, 1917, he was mentioned in despatches for services at the Battle of Arras. In the summer of 1918, in the fighting south of Soissons, where a Scottish Division formed part of General Mangin's 10th French Army, Captain Macmillan so distinguished himself that on 28th July at Buzancy he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre (with palm). By the French he was acclaimed "the hero of Buzancy."

On a subsequent occasion he was again mentioned in despatches, and on 12th November, 1918, he was appointed Temporary Major, which rank he held till August, 1919, when, on the Service Battalions being disbanded, he reverted to his substantive rank of Lieutenant and rejoined his depot at Fort George.