Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. McIntosh
Highland Light Infantry of Canada

A good Officer. Reliable and energetic. Even tempered and tactful, and can command men. Has worked very well during the Course, has gained much in self-confidence, and shows great improvement in expressing his intentions both verbally and on paper. With a little more experience should make a good C.O.

(Senior Officer School report, 16 Mar 1918)

Born on 10 December 1885 in Galt, Ontario, John Alexander McIntosh was an accountant and commanding officer of the Highland Light Infantry since 1937. He had enlisted with the 18th Battalion in November 1914. He deployed to France September 1915, was promoted to captain in January 1916 and became a major six months later. He served ten months as 18th Battalion second-in-command before he attended senior officer school. He was twice wounded, twice mentioned in despatches, and received the Distinguished Service Order.

Although he had been marked as a potential battalion commander in the First World War, McIntosh would have to wait nearly two decades before receiving his own command. He had retired to the reserve militia officer list in 1933 but was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Highland Light Infantry in May 1937.

The battalion mobilized for active service in July 1940. While the HLI was stationed in Quebec City, in February 1941, several hundred soldiers battled with the local police in revenge after a few members had been arrested earlier. The violent disturbance only broke up after the arrival of McIntosh and his officers. The HLI departed for the United Kingdom in July 1941.

Second-in-command Major R.J. McPherson took over the HLI in January 1942. McIntosh had retained his post longer than many original, prewar battalion commanders but at fifty-seven he was well over-age for active service. He was promoted to colonel and commanded a Canadian holding unit until returning home in 1944.

McIntosh died in London, Ontario on 7 September 1970.