Date of birth:

January 6th, 1897 (Bangalore/Kingdom of Mysore, India)

Date of death:

January 21st, 1986 (Langbank/Renfrewshire, Scotland)

Service number:

5880

Nationality:

British

MacMillan was one of only 168 soldiers to receive the Military Cross (MC) and two Bars in the First World War.

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Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1916

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Awarded on:

July 26th, 1917

First bar for the MC

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Awarded on:

1919

"When the battalion advanced on the morning of October 10th, 1918, they came under exceptionally heavy shell fire crossing the high ground north-west of Le Cateau. The enemy's guns were firing chiefly over open sights. There were a large number of casualties, and momentarily the battalion became somewhat disorganised. He at once ran forward, and by his absolute fearlessness and gallant leadership was greatly instrumental in rallying the men and enabling the advance to be resumed. He led one of the front companies until it was reduced to six other ranks, and when the advance was held up, made his way back to battalion Headquarters over 600 yards of open country exposed to snipers, machine-gun fire and shelling, bringing a valuable report."

Second bar for the MC

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Brigadier

Awarded on:

August 5th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Brigadier

Awarded on:

November 18th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major-General

Awarded on:

August 9th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major-General

Awarded on:

April 4th, 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major-General

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1947

Royal decree no. 29, dd. 24-4-1946.

Rank:

Lieutenant-general

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1949

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

May 25th, 1954

4 June 1944 WO 171/474 - 15 Reconnaissance Regiment
The Div Comdr, Maj. General G.H.A. Macmillan, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., visited the Regt and talked to each Sqn regarding forthcoming ops. He lunched with R.H.Q. Mess afterwards. During this period the whole Regt was employed feverishly waterproofing vehs, teams being run as under:- 'A' Vehs - Lieut P.C. Kerridge – (Cars). 'A' Vehs – Lieut R.H. Fleet - (Carriers). 'B' Vehs - Lieut W.H. Rogers. By this date practically all stores were complete and the Regt could have moved at short notice.

3 July 1944 WO 171/1297 - 2 Glasgow Highlanders
Divisional Commander Maj General G.H.A. Macmillan D.S.O. visited and addressed the Bn. Capt J. Lewis taken on strength from 32 R.H.U.

19 July 1944 WO 171/1297 - 2 Glasgow Highlanders
The Divisional Commander MAJ/GEN G.H.A. Macmillan addressed the BN. Intermittent mortar fire throughout day.

3 August 1944 WO 171/466 - 15 (Scottish) Infantry Division
Maj Gen GHA Macmillan, CBE, DSO, MC, wounded.

16 August 1944 WO 171/474 - 15 Reconnaissance Regiment
Maj.Gen C.M. BARBER, DSO, who took over the Division on 8 Aug when Gen Macmillan was wounded, visited the Regiment and spoke to each Sqn to introduce himself, not that this was necessary as he had previously commanded 46 Bde, and to say that he felt that perhaps the Regiment was not always given credit for the work that was done by Senior Commanders who normally visited the Inf Bdes after the Division had done well in battle.

• - Nederlandse onderscheidingen aan Britse staatsburgers voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38493/supplement/3/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36120/supplement/3522/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13877/page/1957
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36251/supplement/5061
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40181/page/3071
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37213/supplement/4044
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37521/supplement/1672
  - Recommendation for Award for MacMillan, Gordon Holmes Alexander Rank: Lieutenant... | The National Archives