Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Pte. Samuel James MacFarlane, 13th Battalion Australian Infantry, died aboard the hospital ship 'Valdivia' on 20th August 1915 from wounds received ten days earlier. Buried at sea, he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial and on his home-town memorial in Portrush.

Working in the Mercantile Marine, he reportedly narrowly escaped imprisonment in Istanbul before the war.

“Mr. Samuel MacFarlane, youngest son of Mr. James MacFarlane, Skerry Bhan Hotel, Portrush, was born at Downs, Cookstown, about 20 years ago. He was on his way to Australia when the war broke out and landing Sydney be at once volunteered and was accepted a member of the Australian Expeditionary Force. Mr. MacFarlane entered the mercantile marine as a midshipman on the Henderson line trading between this country and Rangoon (Burmah). He had recently joined another line of steamers trading on the Australian Coast, and was on his way to join the work there when he volunteered. He has managed to see good deal of the world in his 20 years. Sometime ago the Turks purchased a vessel from Lord Leitrim line and Mr. MacFarlane was one of the officers who delivered the vessel at Constantinople. Before leaving there Mr. MacFarlane took the part of some British sailors who had got into trouble and narrowly escaped imprisonment for his interference. He returned from Constantinople overland, passing through what is now the the war zone. When home for some weeks at Portrush he took great interest in the U.V.F. [Ulster Volunteer Force] (of which his father is a regular member) and especially in the signalling and when on his way to Australia he devoted his spare time to training the signalling corps. While he was at home last the mobilization of the Portrush U.V.F. took place, and Mr. MacFarlane was one of the most enthusiastic members on that memorable occasion. In a recent letter home he was only permitted to say that the expedition was on duty in the Pacific Ocean. Regarding the life on board, he added that the men were well treated and lacked nothing but tobacco and matches. Many of his companions bad given good positions in Australia on joining the expedition.” [1]

He served with the Australian and New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the occupation of New Guinea before leaving for Egypt and, ultimately, Gallipoli. He wrote to his father on 29th October 1914.

“We have settled the Germans out here but the natives are a little troublesome. We leave here for the Booker Islands in a week’s time to 'question' a few cannibals who have eaten someone. So far as I can tell, this part of the world is packed with man-eaters. The Germans have not handled their possessions well. We are camped on the sea front and in view of an active volcano standing above us, but not in the least dangerous. We have swimming parades every morning and afternoon, and in the heat of the day sleep or drink coconuts. We have been partially paid in German money which is no use out here, but enclosed is a five mark note (value 4s. 2d.) which you can keep as a curiosity. The people of Sydney sent us out new uniforms with a host of girls’ names and offers of marriage in the lining of the clothes! We expect soon to be sent to Africa or Europe. I trust it may be to the front in France. The Germans keep up a good fight but they do not play the game when they use, as they do, dum-dum bullets, barbed bayonets and fire on the Red Cross. One of our doctors was shot when they fired on the Red Cross in one of the engagements here.” [2]

News of his death was reported back in his home town.

“We regret to announce the death from wounds received at the Dardanelles, of the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James MacFarlane, Skerry Bhan, Portrush. Samuel James MacFarlane was born March 17th, 1894, at Doons, Cookstown. He was educated at the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast, and Coleraine Academical Institution. On leaving school he served his apprenticeship as a midshipman with the Henderson line of steamers trading between Glasgow and Rangoon. Afterwards he went out to the Coast trade in Australia. On his arrival at Sydney he found that war had been declared and immediately volunteered for active service in the Naval and Military Expedition. He was through the New Guinea campaign, and on the troops being disbanded on their return to Sydney he was offered a Commission if he would remain there for three months to assist in the training of other volunteers. He, however, preferred to volunteer at once for active service in Europe, and was sent first to Cairo and then to the Dardanelles, where he was fatally wounded, and died on 20th August. He was a life-long total abstainer and an ardent Unionist, and on his visit home two years ago he devoted himself to training the signalling corps for the U.V.F. at Portrush.

“At a special meeting of Portrush Urban District Council, of which Mr. MacFarlane is vice chairman, the following resolution, proposed by Mr. Morrow, and seconded by Mr. A. C Scott, J.P., was passed in silence, the members standing — “The council of the urban district of Portrush beg to convey to Councillor MacFarlane and Mrs. MacFarlane their deepest sympathy with them and the members of their family in the bereavement which they have sustained by the death of their son Samuel, who died of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles while nobly fighting for his King and country in the time of danger. Their prayer is that God may sustain them in their trouble.” [3]

He was the 21 year-old son of James and Sarah MacFarlane, of Skerry-Bhan, Portrush, Ireland.

[1] 'Mid-Ulster Mail,' 7th November 1914.

[2] 'Mid Ulster Mail,' 2nd January 1915.

[3] 'Mid-Ulster Mail,' 18th September 1915.
Courtesy of Gallipoli 1915.