Gordon Holmes MacMillan

Who was Gordon Holmes MacMillan?

General Sir Gordon Holmes Alexander MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap, KCB, KCVO, CBE, DSO, MC, LLD was a professional soldier who rose to become a General in the British Army. As a young officer during World War l, he displayed outstanding bravery and was awarded an MC and two bars for his gallantry. At the age of 19 and while still a 2nd Lieutenant, he was appointed Acting Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

MacMillan remained in the army, occupying posts of increasing seniority, between the two World Wars.

He married Marian Blakiston Houston in 1929, and they had 1 daughter and 4 sons.

During World War ll, MacMillan served initially in England, putting in place defensive strategies against a possible invasion by the Germans. He was appointed Brigadier General Staff 9 Corps in December 1941, remaining in this post during the landings in North Africa and through to the fall of Tunis in May 1943. He was given command of 152 Brigade in June 1943 and led it during the successful Sicily campaign. Upon return to Britain, he was assigned command of 15th Division. and led this during the Normandy landings, Operation Epsom and Operation Bluecoat, towards the end of which he was wounded. Once recovered, in November 1944, he returned to mainland Europe as GOC 49th Division near Nijmegen. Upon the death of Major General Thomas Rennie, he assumed command of 51st Division immediately following the crossing of the Rhine on 23 March 1945.