Lieutenant commander John Alastair Montgomerie DSC, KStJ (9 August 1914 – 17 December 1989) was a Scottish businessman and Royal Navy officer during World War II. [1] At war's end, he was the founder and honorary commodore of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Club (Scotland) headquartered on the Carrick in Glasgow. [1]
Montgomerie was educated at Strathallan School, Perthshire and Downing College, Cambridge. [2] He played for the Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club and was elected a member of the Hawks' Club. [2] After a short period at Harvard University he joined the family bakery business, Montgomerie & Co in Glasgow. [2]
During the Second World War, Montgomerie served with the Royal Navy as an officer on various Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB) as part of the Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy. [1] On 1 July 1941 Montgomerie was mentioned in despatches. [3]
In December 1944, Montgomerie commanding 59 Flotilla, arrived in Malta from the United Kingdom (UK). [4] The objective was to provide relief and support to the MTBs already operating in the Adriatic Campaign. [4] The 59th Flotilla had been on operations around UK waters for over a year, including the Normandy landings and its sailors considered to be 'seasoned campaigners'. [4]
59 Flotilla arrived in the Dalmatian Islands in January 1945. [4] On the night of 15–16 January, Montgomerie in MTB 699, supported by 706 and 698, was sent to destroy three E-boats that had run aground on Unie Island off Lussino. [4] The E-boats were found and destroyed, ensuring they could not be salvaged and put back into service. [4]
The Flotilla undertook 64 patrols, with some help from 57 Flotilla, in the month of February from Zara. [4] A record for the Mediterranean theatre, yet the MTBs had limited contact with Axis boats. [4] Montgomerie saw action on 12–13 March when he intercepted three Axis vessels rounding the southern point of the Istrian Peninsula whilst blockading the Arsa Channel. [4] The battle lasted several hours and the MTBs 699, 703 and 710 succeeded in preventing the Axis boats from making progress. [4]
On 12 April, Montgomerie in MTB 670 was instructed, along with 697, 643 and 658 to patrol the northern end of the Planinski Channel and attack any Axis boats coming south from Fiume. [4] The MTBs engaged an Axis force near the island of Krk, resulting in the sinking of TA45. [4] Within weeks the Dalmatian Campaign was over. [4]
On 21 August 1945, Montgomerie was one of a number of officers and crew who were honoured for their role in the actions of 59 Flotilla on 12–13 April 1945. [5] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). [6] The citation reads:
For courage, audacity and skill shown whilst serving in the 59th M.T.B. Flotilla, in an engagement with a superior German force on the 12th-13th April off the coast of Jugoslavia during the course of which an enemy destroyer was sunk.
— London Gazette [5]
Montgomerie retired from the Royal Navy with the rank of lieutenant commander but his subsequent post-war work on behalf of naval interests led to the title of Honorary Commander, Royal Naval Reserve. [2]
He was credited with the foundation of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, R.N.V.R Club (Scotland) in 1947, which was subsequently based on the Carrick in Glasgow. [1]
Montgomerie was instrumental in the restoration of the Cutty Sark in London. [1]
After the war, he became chairman of Montgomerie & Co before selling to Spillers. [2] He was also Deacon of the Incorporation of Bakers and the Incorporation of Tailors in Glasgow. [2]
Montgomerie served as a member of The Royal Company of Archers, The Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland. [2] He was chairman of the King George's Fund for Sailors charity, a keen Rotarian and member of the English-Speaking Union. [2] Montgomerie was also a Knight of the Order of Saint John (KStJ). [2]
He was father-in-law to Ian Lang, Baron Lang of Monkton. [1]
{{
cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(
help)