Ancestry Biography – Chief Superintendent McIntyre Wilson McPherson
CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT MCINTYRE WILSON MCPHERSON
Lanarkshire Constabulary 1938 – 1975
Strathclyde Police 1975 – 1979
McIntyre was born in 1919 in Carnock, Fife.
He joined Lanarkshire Constabulary on the 14th September 1938 when he was posted to Hallside and later Cambuslang.
He entered into military service during WWII and joined the Black watch around 1943 and was selected for Training with 5 Commando at Achnacarry House at Spean Bridge. At the conclusion of training the regiment was posted to India and then Burma. On 23rd March 1944 at Maungdaw two troops from No.5 commando and No.44 Commando (Royal Marines) were called to help extricate an artillery battery from an exposed defile. On their way back they were ambushed by the Japanese in a narrow defile and suffered heavy casualties. Their success was later recognised by the awards of two Military Cross, a Military Medal and two Mentioned in Despatches. McIntyre was one of those mentioned in despatches.
After that they resumed routine patrol duties in and around Maungdaw. They then were involved in the protection of a communications junction at Silchar in the Assam hills. After that they were involved in heavy fighting in the Battle of Kangaw, where two Distinguished Service Orders were awarded and a Victoria Cross.
Preparations soon began for the invasion of Malaya / Singapore, but the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki finished the war and the Commando group was deployed to Hong Kong on a policing role. At this point demobilisation was starting. His final rank was Warrant Officer in the Black Watch.
McIntyre returned to Lanarkshire Constabulary and was appointed Detective Constable at Hamilton.
In 1953 he was promoted Sergeant to the Scottish Police College at Polkemmet House, Whitburn where he served for 2 years.
He was then posted to Bellshill and rose through the ranks, being appointed Superintendent at Rutherglen in 1968.
In 1971 he was promoted to Chief Superintendent in charge of the Traffic Department for Lanarkshire.
On regionalisation in 1975 he served with Strathclyde Police as Chief Superintendent with responsibility for the Traffic Dept.
His last position, until his retirement on 30th June 1979, was as Divisional Commander for ‘N’ Division covering the North of Lanarkshire.
He retired having served as a police officer for 41 years.
Medals:
McIntyre was awarded the following medals:
- 1939-1945 Star
- Burma Star with Pacific Clasp
- WWII Defence Medal
- 1939-1945 War Medal with ‘Despatches Clasp’
- 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal
- Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
