Herbert McDavid

Sir Herbert Gladstone "Mac" McDavid CBE MSM (1898–1966) was from Liverpool, UK. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in the First World War. He ultimately became chairman, managing director and partner of shipping companies (Glen Line, Alfred Holt & Co), deputy director of sea transport in the UK Ministry of War Transport during the Second World War and was knighted for organising shipping during the Suez Crisis in 1956.

Early and personal life Herbert Gladstone McDavid was born in Liverpool on 19 May 1898. His parents were Denis and Octavia (née Christian) McDavid. He was the eldest of their five children. His father worked as a tailor's cutter. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Christian, was a ship's steward from Antigua who had settled in Liverpool.

McDavid was educated at the Liverpool Institute and started working for Alfred Holt & Company in 1915, where two of his maternal uncles were also employed. ), and chairman of McGregor, Gow and Robinson Ltd. His views that Alfred Holt & Company needed more, faster, ships to work for Glen Line from eastern English ports led to an order for four Glenlyon class ships in 1960 that were delivered in 1962–3. Four further Glenalmond class ships were ordered in 1963. but continued to hold several senior appointments. He was a part-time non-executive director of Glen Line until late 1965 as well as a board member of the Ocean Steamship Co. Ltd and a partner in Alfred Holt & Co. He was also a member of shipping organisations such as the Baltic Exchange, the General Council of British Shipping, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, and the Port of London Authority (1958 to 1964). In 1956 he advised the government on shipping matters during the Suez Crisis. In 1944 he was appointed CBE for his work towards the Normandy landings. and received the American Medal of Freedom with silver palm.