Mackay, Robert Lindsay (b. 1896-: medical student, University of Glasgow, Scotland)

Robert Lindsay Mackay was born in 1896 in Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland and was educated there. During the first world war, he served in the 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, holding the posts of Signalling Officer, Assistant Adjutant, and Platoon Officer, and achieving the rank of Lieutenant. What follows is a brief summary of his army career taken from his war diaries:

On 4th September 1916, he was recalled from leave, and joined the 11th Service Battalion the Argylls, on 13 September 1916, at the Somme front, in the area of Martinpuich and Becourt. Here he experienced heavy fighting and a gas attack. In early 1917, the battalion was moved to the area around Arras, where it took part in the Arras offensive (April 1917), and was involved in the battle for Guemappe and Monachy (23 April).

In June 1917 the battalion moved to St Omer, Belgium in preparation for the Ypres offensive. Mackay was appointed Assistant Adjutant. The Battalion was moved to The Ecole for the start of the Ypres offensive, and was involved in heavy fighting. During this period Mackay served as a stretcher bearer with the RAMC, and experienced heavy fighting, particularly on the failed attack against the German held positions at Beck house and Burry farm.

At the end of August the Battalion was moved back to the Arras front and Mackay received leave, during which he visited Glasgow (October 1917), returning to Arras on 17 October. In late 1917 he attended the XVII Corps school on signalling. On 21 March 1918 the German offensive began, and he was involved in maintaining and repairing communications and defences, often while under heavy German artillery fire.

On 10 June 1918, the 11th battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was absorbed into the 1st/8th Argylls, Mackay continued as Assistant Adjutant in the line in the 8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. On 19 June, he was struck down with a case of trench fever, and was sent to the 23rd clearing station, at Ligny near St Pol for treatment, returning to the Battalion on the 27th June. On 15th July, the Battalion was moved to Champagne and participated in the battle at Berzy-le-sec.

On 18th August 1918, Mackay attended the army school for company commanders at Hardelot. He resumed his duties as Battalion signalling officer in September 1918. He also served as acting Adjutant on the front line at Loos and Hullych, in time for the German retreat, 01 October 1918. He visited London on leave 24 October to 10 November 1918, and was on his way back to rejoin the Battalion when he heard news of the armistice, 11 November 1918 .

After the war, Mackay returned to Glasgow and attended the University of Glasgow, matriculating in science and medicine. He graduated BSc in 1921, MB ChB in 1923, gained MD in 1927 and DPH. Ed in 1928 . He subsequently became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Edinburgh and of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. He was a House Physician and House Surgeon at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow and then Physician at the Royal Hospital Wolverhampton and Guest. Hospital, Dudley, England. He was also a Lieutenant Colonel in the RAMC. He died c.1985 .

Sources: Glasgow University Archive Services, UGC072/1 and The Medical Directory 1975.

From the guide to the Papers of Robert Lindsay Mackay, b.1896, medical student, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1916-1919, (Glasgow University Archives Service)