Lt.Col. J.C.Meiklejohn who won a DSO at the Second Battle of El Alamein is remembered in the churchyard at the village of Rowberrow, North Somerset.

Last year, while exploring the churchyard of St. Michael and All Angels in the village of Rowberrow in North Somerset, I came across a headstone commemorating Max John Christian Meiklejohn and his wife and their three children.  I was intrigued by the inscription for the only son which read: “Lt. Col. John Cusance Meiklejohn D.S.O., T.D.  Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.  1904-1988.”

The village church of St. Michael and All Angels at Rowberrow on the Mendip Hills in Somerset.

I know T.D. stands for Territorial Decoration which was awarded to those who gave long service to the Territorial Army and its predecessor The Territorial Force, but I wondered how Lt. Col. Meiklejohn came to be awarded the D.S.O.  A little research brought forth the answer.

At the time of the Second Battle of El Alamein Meiklejon, then a Captain, was serving with the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: part of 154 Brigade in the 51st Highland Division.  He led his Company into action on 26 October 1942 when the battle was only days old.  I found the following citation for the Distinguished Service Order in the National Archives.

“On 26 October 1942, a night attack by three companies on a strongly held enemy position made under heavy machine gun and mortar fire and all officers except Capt. Meiklejohn, commanding “B” Company, and one other were wounded.  Capt. Meiklejohn led his company successfully onto his objective, but then found that the enemy had closed in again behind him and that he was surrounded.  He succeeded however in collecting the remnants of the other two companies and with them and his own men, a force of about two hundred strong, organised a position to hold the ground won.  This position he held until relief reached him nearly forty-eight hours later.  Shortly after the position was occupied the only other remaining officer became a casualty.  Capt. Meiklejohn was short of ammunition and had very little food and water, and all attempts to get supplies through to him failed.  During the remaining six hours of darkness on the first night after the attack he was constantly threatened by enemy counter-attacks, but he successfully held them off by intensive artillery fire which he himself directed round his position by wireless.  Throughout a very trying time he not only held tenaciously to an important objective but by his own unaided effort and example maintained the morale of his men, and gave an outstanding display of courage, leadership and ability”. 

I post this today on the anniversary of Lt. Col. Meiklejohn’s noteworthy participation in one of the key battles of the Second World War.

For a more detailed report on the role of 7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at The Second Battle of El Alamein here is a link:
https://51hd.co.uk/accounts/el_alamein_battle