Queen’s Gallantry Medal recipient John McNicoll

The funeral of a former Dundee policeman awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for tackling a gun-wielding robber took place yesterday.

John McNicoll died on November 28 at Stracathro Hospital. He was 77.

Born and raised in Arbroath, Mr McNicoll attended Arbroath High School and held a number of jobs after leaving school including telegram boy, postman and counter clerk.

He lived in Greenock before joining the City of Dundee Police in 1969.

In 1974, he was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for tackling a would-be robber in a hardware shop while serving as a police constable.

After radioing police headquarters for assistance, he went into the shop where he was confronted by the intruder, who was holding a firearm.

He threatened Constable McNicoll with the gun and pulled the trigger, but it failed to fire.

As Constable McNicoll approached, he pulled the trigger again and the gun went off.

Constable McNicoll then grappled with the robber and was struck on the head with the firearm.

More officers then arrived and the man was restrained. It later emerged the gun had been a starting pistol.

Constable McNicoll was later awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for tackling the man.

The London Gazette reported: “Constable McNicoll displayed courage of a very high degree in tackling a man who was armed and did not hesitate to fire his weapon.”

Mr McNicoll retired from Tayside Police in 1990. During his retirement, he was a keen lawn bowler and latterly lived in Laurencekirk.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Lindsay, grandchildren Rebecca and John and great-grandson Emerson.

His funeral took place at Parkgrove Crematorium, Friockheim.