31 Facts About Tommy Macpherson

Tommy Macpherson fought with the No 11 Commando unit and French Resistance forces, becoming infamous among Axis forces as the "Kilted Killer".

Tommy Macpherson caused so much damage to enemy military infrastructure, a bounty of 300,000 francs was placed upon his head.

Tommy Macpherson was the youngest of seven children of Sir Thomas Stewart Macpherson CIE LLD and Helen, the daughter of the Reverend Archibald Borland Cameron.

Tommy Macpherson attended Trinity College, Oxford, where he was awarded a first class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Tommy Macpherson represented Oxford at rugby, hockey and athletics and was an international student athlete, representing the UK in the 1500 Meters at the 1947 Universiade, the precursor of the World Student Games.

Tommy Macpherson was part of a four-man team sent to reconnoitre beaches in preparation for Operation Flipper, an attempted raid on the headquarters of Erwin Rommel, the famous German Field Marshal.

Tommy Macpherson made one further escape attempt before being taken to Italy in a destroyer, and held in a prisoner of war camp at Montalbo; here he made a further escape attempt, breaching the inner perimeter, but he could not find a way over the outer fence.

Tommy Macpherson managed to get away from his guards, but was recaptured, and almost shot; fortunately the order by a feldwebel was countermanded by an officer.

On 17 February 1944, Tommy Macpherson was awarded the Military Cross for his escape.

Tommy Macpherson's training lasted from January to March 1944, at the end of which he was promoted to Major and placed in charge of team Quinine.

Under his jumping smock, Tommy Macpherson was wearing full Cameron Highland battle dress, including a tartan kilt.

Tommy Macpherson realised that the best they could do was delay the division's progress by preparing a series of ambushes.

Tommy Macpherson operated from caves and woodland areas with his radio operator.

On one occasion when a German staff car was approaching a level crossing Tommy Macpherson booby-trapped the barrier arm so it crashed down on the vehicle, decapitating the local commandant and his driver.

Tommy Macpherson was informed by another Jedburgh leader Captain Arthur Cox that the Major General wanted to negotiate surrender.

Unarmed and accompanied by a German doctor and a French officer, Tommy Macpherson was driven in a captured German Red Cross vehicle through miles of enemy-held territory, through machine gun fire, to the village's school house.

In November 1944, Major Tommy Macpherson led Italian partisans in several major attacks on railways in Udine, northern Italy, despite being wounded soon after his arrival.

On one occasion during an Allied air raid Tommy Macpherson spotted a group of Italian officers retreating into a bomb shelter.

Tommy Macpherson was shot by an Italian officer, who arrived late but whom he succeeded in stabbing after a struggle.

Tommy Macpherson was promoted back to captain on 1 September 1948, and awarded the Territorial Decoration on 20 June 1950.

Tommy Macpherson was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 31 October 1961, and until 1 November 1964 he commanded the London Scottish TA, he was then promoted colonel.

Tommy Macpherson transferred to Class III of the reserve on 1 April 1967, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1968 New Year Honours.

Tommy Macpherson's CBE was for his services as deputy commander of 56th Infantry Brigade from 1964 to 1967, and his efforts in support of the TA in general.

Tommy Macpherson was a member of the Royal Company of Archers.

On 7 October 2010, Tommy Macpherson's autobiography was published under the title, Behind Enemy Lines.

Tommy Macpherson had enjoyed a successful business career, including periods variously as the Managing Director and Chairman of the Mallinson-Denny Group, as a director of Brooke Bond Group, Scottish Mutual Assurance and the National Coal Board, and as Chairman of Annington Holdings plc and Boustead plc.

Tommy Macpherson was President of Eurochambres between 1992 and 1994.

Tommy Macpherson was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 1977, and served as High Sheriff of Greater London in 1983.

Tommy Macpherson was knighted in the 1992 New Year Honours, receiving the accolade from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 17 March 1992.

In 1953 Tommy Macpherson married Jean Henrietta, the daughter of David Butler Wilson.

Tommy Macpherson is a patroness of the Royal Caledonian Ball.