4468
MCRAE, Malcolm
| Service Number: | 956 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 February 1916, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Goodwood, South Australia, 20 November 1895 |
| Home Town: | Goodwood, Unley, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Natural causes, South Australia, 21 November 1981, aged 86 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General AB, Path 17 Grave 292A. |
| Memorials: | Adelaide State Library, Museum & Art Gallery of South Australia WW1 Roll of Honour, Goodwood Public School WW1 Roll of Honor, SA Caledonian Society Soldiers Memorial WW1 Honour Board, Unley Goodwood Presbyterian Church WW1 Roll of Honor, Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 956, Keswick, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 956, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' |
|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 956, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 956, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 14 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 956, 43rd Infantry Battalion |
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Born: 20/11/1895, Goodwood, South Australia.
(SA Birth records 1842 - 1906 Book: 574 Page: 396 District: Ade.)
Father James McRAE and Mother Sarah Cameron McRae (nee McLellan)
Prior to enlisting Malcolm lived with his parents at 44 Hampton Street, Goodwood SA.
Siblings:
Sister: Elizabeth McRae (b. 23/3/1894 Goodwood - d. ____)
(SA Birth Record 1842 - 1906 Book: 540 Page: 285 District: Ade.)
Sister: Elsie May McRae (b. 1904 Goodwood - d. _____)
(SA Birth Record 1842 - 1906 Book: 730 Page: 21 District: Ade.)
Previous service:
2 years - Senior Cadets - 75th Infantry
1.5 years - 78th Infantry
1.3 years - Engineers (still serving on enlisting)
Described on enlisting as 20 years 3 months old; single; 5' 5 1/4" tall; 112 lbs;
fresh complexion; blue eyes; brown hair; Presbyterian.
24/1/1916 Completed medical - fit for service
1/2/1916 Enlisted at Keswick, with his work colleague and mate - Cyril Harry Hannaford
Cyril Harry Hannaford (b. 3/1/1897) He was first employed by the Public Library,
Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia as a library cadet on 29/7/1912.
At the time of his enlistment Hannaford was the Periodicals Room Superintendent.
He enlisted on 9/2/1916, aged 19 years, and embarked from the
HMAT Afric A19 on 9 June 1916, with his colleague from the Library Malcolm McRae.
Hannaford served as a Private in the 43rd Battalion, AIF.
He was wounded in action (gunshot wound, buttock) in France 3 July 1917.
4/2/1916 Malcolm was appointed to 'E' Company, 2nd Depot Battalion
Exhibition Camp
16/3/1916 Commanding Officer appointed Malcolm to
Head Quarters - 43rd Infantry Battalion
Morphettville Camp
9/6/1916 Embarked from Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide, on board HMAT Afric A19
as a Private with 11th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Infantry Battalion Head Quarters
20/7/1916 Disembarked into Marseilles, France
25/11/1916 Proceeded overseas to France, ex Southampton
The battalion arrived on the Western Front in late December.
The 43rd Battalion spent 1917 bogged in bloody trench warfare in Flanders.
5/3/1917 Detached to Signalling School, in the field
18/4/1917 rejoined battalion in the field
In June the battalion took part in the battle of Messines and in October the Third Battle of Ypres.
14/7/1917 Promoted to Lance Corporal - France
The battalion spent much of 1918 fighting in the Somme valley.
30/1/1918 Detached to Corps School, in the field
22/3/1918 rejoined battalion in the field
30/3/1918 Wouned in Action - remained on duty - France
In April they helped stop the German Spring offensive at Villers-Bretonneux.
1/5/1918 To be Temporary Corporal whilst Cpl Benson is evacuated
30/5/1918 To be Temporary Sergeant (Sgt Rarbbett wounded)
In July the battalion was part of General Monash's attack at Hamel.
23/7/1918 Promoted to Corporal - France
13/8/1918 Promoted to Sergeant - France, 43rd Battalion
In August and September the battalion helped drive the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line.
The 43rd joined the advance that followed the 2nd Division's victory at Mont St Quentin.
At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent on the Western Front.
The November Armistice was followed by the Treaty of Versailles signed
on 28 June 1919.
28/12/1918 On leave to England (to 11/1/1919)
18/1/1919 rejoined battalion, France
Through 1919 the men of the 43rd Battalion returned to Australia in drafts for demobilisation
and discharge.
2/4/1919 Marched out to Base - to Return to Australia
7/4/1919 Marched out to UK
8/4/1919 Marched into England, ex France
20/5/1919 Returned to Australia on board Nestor, ex Liverpool, England
29/6/1919 disembarked into Australia
14/8/1919 Discharged from service
Medals:
British War medal (13601) and Victory medal (13406)
Married Elsa Julie McRae (nee _____ b. ___ - d. 1959 66 years old)
one child: daughter Janet Alison McRae
married Ronald George Appleyard
grandchildren: Sam (Stuart), Scott and John Appleyard.
Last lived at 49 Seafield Avenue, Kingswood, South Australia.
21/11/1981 Malcolm passed away (86 years old)
buried in: General AB, Path 17 Grave 292A
Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia
On behalf of my dear friend & grandson to Malcolm - Sam Appleyard.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 4/2/2015. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.