GILLESPIE, Robert Macgregor
| Service Number: | 46 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia , 1891 |
| Home Town: | Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne C of E Grammar School; Scotch College; Melbourne University; Dookie Agricultural College |
| Occupation: | Agricultural Specialist |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
Lone Pine Cemetery, ANZAC III C 2, Also Panel 46 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, MCC Roll of Honour 1914 - 1918 - Melbourne Cricket Club, Melbourne Grammar School WW1 Fallen Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 46, 6th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Sergeant, 46, 6th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Sergeant, 46, 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
ROBERT MACGREGOR GILLESPIE who was killed in action on 25th April 1915 was the son of Mr. J. M. Gillespie. He was born in 1891 and entered the School in 1903 having been at the Preparatory School since 1900. On leaving the School in 1906, after passing the Junior Public Examination, he went to Scotch College, and passed the Senior Public Examination in 1907. He went on to the Melbourne University, graduating Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1913 with second class honors. He was a first-class lawn tennis player, and gained his Blue at the University in 1912, and represented Victoria against South Australia in 1912 and 1913. Upon leaving the University he in 1912 went to Dookie Agricultural College, where he came equal first in the final honor list. In 1913 he got his B.A.Sc. degree and was appointed experimentalist in the Department of Agriculture. He enlisted upon the outbreak of war and joined the 6th Battalion, in which he was appointed Sergeant. He took a prominent part in the organisation of camp life at Broadmeadows. He was in the memorable Landing on Gallipoli and was at first reported missing. Subsequent reports showed that after landing on the Peninsula Gillespie and two others were sent out to reconnoitre a position for his battalion, first Gillespie going ahead 30 yards or so and whistling if all appeared clear, after which the other two would come up level with him, but about 30 yards on his right and left. The whole thing was carried out under heavy fire, and at very close quarters, about 30 to 50 yards. For two or three times all went well, but at last Gillespie went forward and never whistled, nor could his two men find him in the thick scrub. He had been killed by rifle fire. His body was found during the armistice on 21st May and buried at Phillip's Top, about 450 yards south of Anzac Cove.
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