J. Alastair Montgomerie

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Lieutenant commander John Alastair Montgomerie DSC, KStJ (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]

Education[edit]

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]

Naval career[edit]

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]

Later life[edit]

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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Death of Carrick club's commodore". The Herald (Glasgow). 22 December 1989. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i R A Peacock (1990). "The Strathallian 1989-1990 - Obituary". Strathallan School. p. 89. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  3. ^ "No. 35204". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 June 1941. pp. 3746–3747.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Leonard C Reynolds (2013). Dog Boats at War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0752499949. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b "No. 37232". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 August 1945. pp. 4219–4220.
  6. ^ "Naval Officer's Daring". The Herald (Glasgow). 14 September 1945. p. 6. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
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