Brevet Colonel CB, Second Light Cavalry Brigadier Commanding Benares Division. Attained the ranks of Cadet (1809), Cornet (28.03.1810), Lieutenant (1.09.1818), Captain (1.05.1824), Major (13.01.1842), Lieutenant Colonel (2.02.1851), Brevet Colonel (20.06.1854).
Attended Barasat Cadet College for eight and a half months; admitted to the military 17.11.1810; Cadet in 4th Northern Command 1811; Cornet in 4th Northern Command 1813; took leave for six months to sea (with sick certificate) in July 1817; Third Mahratta War 1813 as Cornet in 4th Northern Command; Interpreter and Quartermaster in 4th Light Cavalry 10.04.1819 till 29.06.1824; operations in Kotah 1821; Mangrol (?w); Lieutenant 4th Light Cavalry leave (urgent private affairs) to Calcutta 19.04 till 14.12.1822; leave (sick certificate) 12 months to New South Wales 3.05.1823 till 16.04.1826; furlough (sick certificate) 4.06.1826 till 14.05.1831. Was active in Shekhawat expedition 1834 as Captain in 4th Light Cavalry. Acted as Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate General in Sirhind Division (23.02.1838), D.J.A.G. for Dinapore and Benares 6.03.1839, and for Presidency Division 25.06.1839 till 21.12.1842.
In the Gwalior campaign of 1843, he served as Major commanding the 4th Light Cavalry (Lancers) under Brig. Scott CB. He was active in the Battle of Maharajpur (29.12.1843) which was reported in the London Gazette of 8th March and 30th April 1844. For his feats in this battle he won the Bronze Star. He then served as Brigadier in the First Sikh War, leading the 3rd Cavalry in the Battle of Mudki (18.12.1845) in Maj. Gen. Sir Joseph Thackwell's Cavalry Division. The cavalry, under Brigadiers White, Gough, and Mactier, played a crucial role in this battle, advancing to the front in columns of squadrons and occupying the plains to allow the passage of five troops of horse artillery under Brigadier Brooke. Mactier was severely wounded. In the Battle of Ferozeshah he was Brevet Lieut. Col. commanding the 4th Light Cavalry, and won a "medal with clasp" for his services.
He was officiating Member of the Military Board from 1849-50 and stipendiary M.M.B. from 8.11.1850. Posted as Lieut. Col. to 1st Light Cavalry December 1851; to 2nd Light Cavalry November 1852; Brigadier 2nd Class in Delhi 22.09.1854 and in Benaras January 1855 until his death. CB 3.04.1846.
Also mentioned in a footnote to p. 84 of Compton Rede's 'A Record of the Redes' (Hereford, 1899) wherein it is stated that he, by giving the command to retire when within fifty yards of the enemy, stranded and caused the death of two Officers at the front (Edward Jervoise Ridge and Henry Jonathan Reade). "Mactier's interest with the E.I.C. being strong, he escaped with a reprimand." (Compton Reade) The Commander-in-Charge refuted "these base insinuations" in a General Order of 6.01.1823. A Court of Enquiry was ordered in June 1825 but not held owing to the absence of witnesses.
His grave seems to be in need of repair and the tablet is supposed to have been moved to South Park Street Cemetery. A plaque dedicated to his memory can be found in St. Andrew's Church, Calcutta. The image of the latter is displayed here.
Source: V. C. P. Hodson, List of the Officers of the Bengal Army 1758-1834 Vol. 3, p. 202-203
For more on the Gwalior and Punjab Campaigns of the British Indian Army, see Our Soldiers by W. H. G. Kingston, chapters 3 and 4: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23052/23052-h/23052-h.htm
Shalmi Barman