[1] Prior to winning the VC, Strachan was initiated into freemasonry in his birthplace, at the Douglas Lodge 409 Bo'ness, on 22 January 1917.

[3] Strachan was 33 years of age, and serving in the First World War with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade as a lieutenant in The Fort Garry Horse, when he performed the action for which he was awarded the VC.

It has become traditional for the Garrys to hold a Regimental dinner every year on the anniversary of Strachan's unlikely cavalry exploit.

Gen. Nelson of the 88th Brigade, ordered the Fort Garry Horse to advance across the St Quentin Canal.

B Squadron led by Strachan, cut its way through a line of infantry in a heavily camouflaged road and found a four-gunned German field battery in front of them.

Strachan realised there was to be no support, so he had the horses cut loose and he led the unit in a withdrawal towards the Canal.

The operation – which resulted in the silencing of an enemy battery, the killing of the whole battery personnel and many infantry, and the cutting of three main lines of telephone communication two miles in rear of the enemy’s front line – was only rendered possible by the outstanding gallantry and fearless of this officer - London Gazette [6]Strachan, having been promoted to captain, received his VC from King George V on 6 January 1918.

[9] Strachan died on 1 May 1982, at the age of 97 years and 175 days, the record longest-lived recipient of the Victoria Cross.

On 20 November 2018, the McGregor Armoury in Winnipeg, home of the Fort Garry Horse, was renamed in honour of Harcus Strachan VC MC.