Herbert Taylor MacPherson

Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor Macpherson (22 January 1827 – 20 October 1886) was a British Army and Indian Army officer and a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life Macpherson, was born at Ardersier, near Fort George in Scotland, the son of an officer in the 78th Highlanders. In 1845 he was commissioned ensign in his father's former regiment. Travelling with the regiment to India, he served in the Persian campaign of 1857 and in the Indian Mutiny the following year.

Promoted captain in October 1857, he served at the defence of the Alambagh, and as brigade major during the final capture of Lucknow, where he was wounded. He was also promoted brevet major. For his service in Afghanistan, he was given the local rank of major-general in October 1880, and made a knight commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in March 1881.

In July 1882 Macpherson was promoted to lieutenant-general, and given command of the Indian contingent that served in the Egypt campaign, including the battle of Tell El Kebir. and the Turkish Order of the Medjidie, second class.

Returning to India, in March 1886 he became Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army and, after travelling to Burma to take command during the Third Anglo-Burmese War, he died of fever on the steamer Irrawaddy, on 20 October 1886.

Family Herbert's father was Col Duncan MacPherson of the 78th Regt. Herbert had 10 siblings all apparently without a mother. His elder brother was Maj Gen Sir James Duncan MacPherson KCB. In 1859, Herbert married Maria Eckford, daughter of Lieutenant-general James Eckford, C.B.