MCLACHLAN, Neil
| Service Number: | 3878 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 August 1915, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Yan Yean, Victoria, Australia, 14 May 1894 |
| Home Town: | Meredith, Golden Plains, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Parwan School; Ballarat High School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | School teacher |
| Died: | Killed In Action, France, 10 August 1918, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bacchus March Parwan State School, Meredith & District Roll of Honor, Meredith War Memorial, Woomelang Banyan State School No 3487 Honor Board WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3878, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3878, 6th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3878, 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Menin Road | |
| 10 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 6th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-08-10 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"...Lieutenant Neil McLachlan, 6th Battalion of Meredith, Victoria. A school teacher prior to enlisting, he embarked with the 6th Battalion from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 23 November 1915, as 3878 Private (Pte) McLachlan. He was appointed to a commissioned rank on 6 December 1917. On 10 August 1918, he was killed in action during operations at Rosieres Ridge, France, aged 23. He is buried in the Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Lt McLachlan was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during the attack on Glencourse Wood on 20 September 1917 when "he led his platoon with great dash and determination against an enemy strong post which was holding up his platoon on the left. He engaged it from the flank and captured it with 22 prisoners." Lieut McLachan's elder brother, 4767 Pte John James Mclachlan, was killed in action on 13 November 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, France." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Andreena Hockley
"Killed in action in France on 10th August, 1918, Lieutenant Neil McLachlan, M.C., 6th Battalion, second son of Mr. Neil McLachlan, of " Myrtle," 43 Napier-street, Footscray.
He was born at South Yan Yean on 14th May, 1894, and was educated at the Parwan School, and at the Ballarat High School. He became a junior teacher at the Humffray-street School, Ballarat. Then he was appointed head teacher at Banyan Reserve, where he did some fine work in connexion with the establishment of agricultural plots, securing the hearty cooperation of parents and school committee.
He enlisted as a Private on the 9th of August, 1915, and embarked with the 12th Reinforcements to the 6th Battalion. He joined his unit at Serapeum, in Egypt, on the 22nd of February, 1916. He went to France on the 25th of March, was promoted on the 22nd of May, and was wounded on the 27th of July. He rejoined from hospital on the 3rd of August.
On the 6th of February, 1917, he was sent to the Officer Cadet Battalion at Oxford, and was appointed to commissioned rank on the 31st of May. He rejoined his unit on the 1st of July, was awarded the Military Cross on the 14th of October, and was promoted Lieutenant on the 6th of December. The deed for which Military Cross was awarded is thus described in the London Gazette: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great dash and determination against an enemy strong post which was holding up the platoon on the left. He engaged it from the flank, and captured it with 22 prisoners."
General Birdwood wrote the following appreciative letter: "1st Anzac Corps, 8th Oct., 1917. This is a line to congratulate you most heartily upon the Military Cross which has been awarded to you in recognition of your good work in the attack on Glencorse Wood on 20th September. I know what good leadership and initiative you displayed in attacking an enemy strong post, which was holding up the platoon on your left, and which you captured together with 22 prisoners and a machine-gun. With good wishes for the future, yours sincerely, W. R. Birdwood."
An elder brother, Private John James McLachlan, was also killed in action.
A teacher correspondent mentions that he saw many evidences of Neil McLachlan's great love and consideration for his parents."
Source: The Education Department's Record of War Service, Victoria, 1914-1919.
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