Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Hector John McGregor was born on 12 January 1919 in Hamilton, New South Wales. Known to his family and friends simply as "Jack," he grew up in Shortland, where he built a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and service to both country and community.

Before enlisting in the army, McGregor was a dairy farmer and milk carter. He and his brother Roy ran a small business together, working the land on a 25-acre farm in Shortland. The physical demands of farm life shaped Hector's strong work ethic—a quality that would define him throughout his life.

In 1940, as the world was plunged into conflict, Hector answered the call to serve. He enlisted in the Australian Army on 26 May 1942 at Newcastle although this is listed as Paddington, joining the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. The Pioneers were a unique unit—trained to both fight as infantry and carry out vital engineering tasks on the battlefield. McGregor served in multiple theatres of war, including Borneo and New Guinea, where he endured the hardship and danger of front-line service.

During a mortar operation alongside his brother Roy, a bomb detonated prematurely, injuring Hector’s hand. Despite this serious setback, he returned to active duty and continued to serve with resilience and quiet courage until the end of the war. He was discharged on 21 January 1946 with the rank of Private.

After the war, Hector transitioned back to civilian life and joined the family accounting business, where he worked until his retirement in 1979. But his sense of service didn’t end with his military discharge.

He was deeply involved in his local community, devoting much of his time to establishing and growing the Shortland RSL. As a young child, his son Ken fondly remembers "helping" him and other volunteers as they physically built the first RSL premises—a symbol of their enduring wartime camaraderie. Over the years, Hector held numerous honorary positions at the Club, including Branch Secretary and Treasurer, leaving a legacy of commitment and service.

Hector met his wife, Doris, in Shortland. She had been working as a housekeeper for his mother, and over time, the pair formed a strong bond. They were married in 1939 at St Aidan’s Church, beginning a lifelong partnership just before the war would temporarily take him far from home.

Hector John McGregor passed away with the quiet dignity that marked his life on 31 December 2005 two weeks short of his 87th birthday. A soldier, a family man, and a cornerstone of his community—his story is a testament to the strength and resilience of his generation.