Appendix to the War Diary of 7 RTR, which was in the Tobruk fortress during the battle. Many thanks to the Tank Museum for their great work in transcribing these, and the very courteous handling of my requests to get them copied in pieces and shipped to France.
STARTS
32 A. Tank Bde. 70 Division 8 Army Corps
Unit – 7 R Tanks
Rank and Name: Lieut. McGinlay, Alexander Oliphant
Recommended by Major J.R. Holden, DSO
Honour or Reward DSO.
TOBRUK – 22nd to 30th November 1941
Lieut McGinlay was in action continuously from the night 21/22 November to the morning of 30th November. During this time he performed his duties with the utmost gallantry and was largely responsible for three successful attacks on enemy strongpoints. On two separate occasions he led the tanks to a startline on foot when under the most intense artillery and mortar fire, with a complete disregard for his own safety. He has acted as troop leader, liaison officer, reconnaissance officer and even F.O.O. and at all times has been absolutely reliable. His magnificent courage and unquenchable cheerfulness have been unsurpassed. His leadership and advice have been first class at all times.
Sd/J.R.Holden, O.C. “D” Sqdn. 7th Bn., Royal Tank Regiment
ENDS
Addition:
Following contact with the daughter of the late Major ‘Jock’ McGinlay MC and Bar, it turns out that somebody higher up the foodchain in 8th Army decided that a DSO might be too much, and the decoration was downgraded to an MC. A difficult to understand decision, unless one presumes that what Lieutenant McGinlay did was somewhat expected of a troop leader.
See also this post about some information from the Major McGinlay’s papers.
I would still be interested to hear what became of Major Holden DSO.
I am Lieutenant McGinlay’s daughter. My name is Leslie. My father died in 1992. When he left the army he was a major. He has written a book, and though unpublished, extracts of his book have been used in other publications. I will try and help with details where I can and with the permission of my mother. Hope to be of some use to you.