30/04/2026
Event to Honour Local War Hero
Corporal Duncan MacAulay, a Sandwick soldier who saved 27 of his comrades during the Second World War, but never received official recognition, is to be honoured by his local community more than 80 years later.
The event, titled “Honour a Local Hero,” will take place on Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. All members of the local community are warmly invited to attend, and a buffet will be provided.
The event is free of charge, but organisers kindly ask those planning to attend to confirm by phone or text on 07464349490 to help ensure there is sufficient food and refreshments for all attending.
Corporal Duncan MacAulay, of East Street, Sandwick, was just 27 when he lost his life in January 1945 during fierce fighting near Sitard in Holland while serving with D Company, 7th Cameronians.
New eyewitness evidence has confirmed that his extraordinary bravery, advancing alone under heavy enemy fire, enabled the capture of a German position and saved the lives of his platoon.
At a time when such actions would normally involve a full platoon operating in rotation, Corporal MacAulay acted alone. After his unit came under intense fire from a German machine-gun nest, and with heavy casualties already sustained, he volunteered to move forward under covering fire.
According to fellow soldier Mr Jack Rafferty, who witnessed the action Corporal MacAulay located the enemy position and charged forward alone. Reaching the wall of the building from which the gun was firing, he threw a gr***de to silence it. He was fatally wounded moments before it exploded, but his actions allowed his comrades to advance, complete the attack, and ultimately capture the village.
Mr Rafferty later confirmed that this single act of bravery directly saved many lives and among others in the battalion believed Corporal MacAulay would have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
However, due to the loss and wounding of officers during the battle, his actions were never formally recorded or submitted for official recognition.
Now, Sandwick Community Council is ensuring that his courage and sacrifice are finally acknowledged. More than eight decades on, Sandwick will come together to honour one of its own, a man whose courage saved 27 lives and whose sacrifice will now be remembered with pride.
A spokesperson for Sandwick Community Council said: “We felt it was important to recognise the significance of what Corporal Duncan MacAulay did in Holland. This was an extraordinary act of bravery that saved many lives, yet no formal recognition was ever given. We want to make sure his courage and sacrifice are properly remembered by the community.”
Corporal MacAulay’s son, Murdo MacAulay, who still resides in the area, has welcomed the opportunity for the community to come together in his father’s memory.
