MCKAY, Alec
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Rank:
Lance Sergeant (later Company Quartermaster Sergeant)
Unit / Base:
8 Commando
'Layforce'
Prior Police Service:
Burnley Borough Police Force
Regiment/Corps:
Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn.
Service:
Army
Number:
2654904
Born:
Saturday, October 15, 1910
Birthplace:
Ontario, Canada
Died :
Tuesday, May 4, 1993
Place died:
Burnley, Lancashire
Age:
82
01.10.1930 attested at Burnley into the Coldstream Guards. Former trade Railway Employee.
October 1934 Lance Corporal released to Army Reserve.
02.11.1934 joined Burnley Borough Police Force aged 24. Sworn in 18 June 1935.
01.12.1939 re-enlisted Coldstream Guards.
15.08.1940 attached No.8 Commando, appointed Acting Corporal (unpaid Lance Sergeant).
10.11.1940 No.8 Commando redesignated 4 Special Service Bn.
01.02.1941 reverts to No.8 Commando.
31.01.1941 - 17.08.1941 Layforce, M.E.F..
18.011.941 embarked for UK and rejoins Coldstream Guards.
17.06.1943 embarks for Middle East with the 3rd Coldstream Guards.
24.09.1943 promoted War Substantive Sergeant.
29.12.1943 posted 'X(IV)' List ,Middle East Infantry Training Depot (ITD).
07.02.1944 admitted 65 General Hospital, British North Africa Force.
Between 1941 and 1945 Alec McKay sufferred recurring bouts of Malaria which he first got whilst serving in the Sudan in 1931. The following year in 1932 at Egypt he became ill with dysentry.
20.02.1944 embarked for UK.
25.02.1945 - 07.03.1945 completed course at School of Instruction (Pay Duties)
Promoted Colour Sergeant (CQMS) and served as an Instructor in the Coldstream Guards Training Battalion until the end of the war.
03.12.1945 recommenced police duty.
22.05.1965 retired from police service rank of Chief Inspector, Burnley Borough Police Force.
Member of the Commando Association.
Sources
Copy of Army Service Record and Police Service Card provided by his daughter Shirley McKay.
Coldstream Guards Attestation Register.
Commando Association Lost Legion List 8.
[Images] His daughter Shirley.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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