Lieutenant-Colonel A. Mackinnon
7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

One enemy tank even succeeded in getting in amongst Bn H.Q. while it was still on the move and Col. Mackinnon personally organised its destruction with a P.I.A.T. mortar. Throughout this difficult operation Col. Mackinnon displayed a very high degree of personal courage and determined leadership which were undoubtedly largely responsible for the highly satisfactory results achieved.

(D.S.O. citation, 12 April 1945)

Born on 20 February 1911 in Mersham, Kent, Angus Mackinnon was a Terriorial Army officer and businessman. After graduating from Eton College and Pembroke College, Oxford, he joined the family merchant firm in Calcutta, India. He mobilized with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1939 and served with the 8th Battalion during the Battle of France in June 1940. He earned the Military Cross, showing “complete disregard for danger and led his patrol with skill and daring.”

He subsequently served as aide-de-camp for General Claude Auchinleck, commander-in-chief Middle East Command and British Eighth Army,. Mackinnon was responsible to arial reconnaissance over enemy positions in North Africa prior to El Alamein. He was present when Auchinleck received a letter from Churchill in early August relieving him of Middle East command. He was replaced by General Sir Harold Alexander.

By 1944, Mackinnon had rejoined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and served with the 7th Battalion during the Normandy campaign. In November 1944, he succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel D.N. Nicol in command and earned the D.S.O. for leadership during the Ardennes offensive.

After the war, he was elected unopposed for a term to the London County Council. He also resumed his banking career and joined the firm Brown Shipley, serving as chairman from 1953 to 1963. In addition to directorships of other business, he was chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation from 1975 to 1977.

He died on 5 July 1987 in Winchester, Hampshire.