'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On 1st October 1918, at Crevecouer, a sunken road was held by the Company to which Pte McKay belongs. This road was enfiladed with immense high explosive fire of all calibres, so severe that casualties in the Company from shell fire alone mounted to 48 in two hours. Upon reaching the sunken road Pte McKay ordered the men to distribute themselves on the roadside to avoid casualties. He next conveyed wounded to a deep dug-out, undoubtedly saving many lives by his forethought. The road was at this time an inferno of shell fire. Despite the heavy bombardment he conveyed the wounded to the regimental aid post. Pte McKay is 49 years of age, and, although worn our before reaching the sunken road, he worked continuously all that day and night and the following day. His coolness under such harassing fire was a great inspiration to all, and undoubtedly steadied the men standing to arms on the roadside. Pte McKay worked continuously from the night of the 29th/30th September, and, so great was his devotion to duty that he denied himself proper feed. He was undoubtedly the means of saving many lives, and showed a magnificent contempt for danger.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 14 May 1919

'For continuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field during operations extending from 21.8.18 to 14.9. 18. This man is a Company stretcher bearer and did conspicuously gallant work in the evacuation of wounded under heavy fire. He was at all times ready and willing for work, and exposed himself with an utter disregard for his personal safety in endeavours to quickly evacuate the wounded. Especially noticeable was his work on the 12th September. When in front of Havrincourt Wood he continued his work under intense shell fire and succeeded in carrying a man out of a trench which was being continuously bombarded. He was undoubtedly the means of saving many lives.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 11 February 1919