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War Memorial
Australia

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954) Saturday 21 July 1917

THE LATE PRIVATE S. G. MEGAW.

Private S. G. Megaw, second son of   Mrs.  M. and the late Mr. Thomas Megaw, of Broken Hill, who was killed in action   on June 18 last, was a native of Bruce in this State, and was born on June 15, 1881. With his parents he went to Olary in 1888. In 1897 he entered the Locomotive Department. After having worked   there for some time he went to Petersburg, and was transferred to Cockburn, as charge man in 1900. In 1913 he was stationed at Murray Bridge, where he remained until he enlisted in June, 1916. The deceased left for England in August of the same year. From there he went to France in November, and continued in active service until he was killed, after having survived some thrilling and trying experiences. Prior to going to the war he took part in manly sports, and was a keen rifleman, a winner of many trophies. A fine record of 13 consecutive bull's eyes at 300 yards, made on the Cockburn Rifle Range, stands to his credit. He was also a Freemason.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87606471 (nla.gov.au)

The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA: 1880 - 1954) Friday 12 October 1917

THE LATE PTE. S. G. MEGAW

Mrs. R. Megaw, of Broken Hill, mother of the late Private S. G. Megaw, who enlisted at Murray Bridge, and who was a member of the Masonic Lodge, has received a letter from Raymond L. Leane, commanding the 48th Battalion, as follows:—"I enclose a congratulatory card from the divisional general intended for your son. Private S. G. Megaw. I am extremely sorry that he is not with us to receive it himself. As you are no doubt aware, the boy was killed on June 12 at Messines, and was buried where he fell. He was a very brave man, and it is indeed hard that such men should be lost to us. I can quite understand how you must feel his loss, but you have this comfort, that he did his duty; and, after all, what better could one die for? The general who signed this card has paid the price also, for he was killed not far from where your son fell. May you gain com- fort from the fact that you were the mother of such a brave soldier, for we all get the best that is in us from her. Will you accept the deep sympathy of all the members of his battalion?" The cards bear the following inscription:—"Major-General W. Holmes, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D., commanding 4th Australian Division, congratulates 2205 Private S. G. Megaw, 48th Battalion, A.I.F., on his plucky conduct at Messines on June 8, 1917. British Expeditionary Forces, France, June 27, 1917." The card bears the signature of William Holmes, Major-General, who was killed by the explosion of a shell when accompanying the New South Wales Premier (Mr. W. A. Holman) through the lines. Private Megaw was killed four days after the incident for which he was congratulated.

The secretary of the Murray Bridge Lodge has received the following letter from Corporal Catchlove, from "Somewhere in France" —As a member of the Craft, it is with deep regret that I have to report the death of Bro. Geo. S. Megaw (Pte.), a member of your Lodge, who was killed in action at Messines on the 11th June, 1917. He was severely wounded in several places, mostly in the   back, and suffered badly from shock, but succumbed whilst being carried to the dressing station. He has been buried in the field. He was the No. 1 man to the Lewis Gun Section of the 13th Platoon of D Company in the 48th Battalion. He joined the Battalion in France, early in December, 1916, since which time he took part in Fluers (twice), Bullecourt, and Messines (twice) campaigns, and has rendered invaluable services at all times to the battalion. I am happy to say he has been recommended for his good work in action. I may say he was offered stripes as non-commissioned officer on two or three occasions, but his retiring and unassuming disposition kept him from accepting them. It might he gratifying to the members of the   lodge to know that he was most popular with   all who came in contact with him, and his loss is deeply and keenly felt by us all"

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147703237 (nla.gov.au)