Lieutenant-Colonel J.F.M. Macdonald
1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers

His coolness and determination inspired the leading Coy to rally and resist the enemy counter attack with spirit; the enemy was finally firmly held. With considerable skill and power of decision, though he himself was under heavy mortar and sniper fire, this fine officer quickly re-act his fire plan

(D.S.O. citation, 30 November 1951)

Born on 7 November 1907 in Norfolk, John Frederick Matheson Macdonald was commissioned with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers after graduating from Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1927. Following staff postings, he served as second-in-command of the 6th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the early phase of the Normandy campaign. He took command of the 1st Battalion, KOSB on 26 July 1944, a week after Lieutenant-Colonel G.D. Renny had been wounded and evacuated.

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