RAE, Alexander
| Service Number: | 331 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 October 1914, An original member of B Squadron |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 10th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Sebastopol, Victoria, Australia, 10 March 1882 |
| Home Town: | Mount Egerton, Moorabool, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Mount Egerton State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Baker |
| Died: | Died of wounds, The Nek, Gallipoli, Turkey, 7 August 1915, aged 33 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kings Park 10th Light Horse Regiment Memorial WA, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial, Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing, Magpie State School Honor Roll Book, Magpie State School No. 2271 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 331, 10th Light Horse Regiment, An original member of B Squadron | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 331, 10th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Mashobra embarkation_ship_number: A47 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 331, 10th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Mashobra, Fremantle | |
| 7 Aug 1915: | Involvement Trooper, 331, 10th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 331 awm_unit: 10 Light Horse Regiment awm_rank: Trooper awm_died_date: 1915-08-07 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Alexander Rae was the son of Mr and Mrs Alex Rae, of Mount Egerton in Victoria, and he had gone to Western Australia to find his fortune. Alec Rae enlisted in Meekatharra, Western Australia. He joined the 10th Light Horse Regiment and died during their famous attack at ‘The Nek’ on Gallipoli, 7 August 1915.
The Gordon, Egerton and Ballan Advertiser reported on 3 September 1915. “Egerton Boy Killed. Pte Alec Rae.
Private Alec Rae, of Egerton, has been killed at Gallipoli. He was 33 years of age, and the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Alex Rae, old and respected residents of Egerton, who both deeply grieve their loss, for he was imbued with high intelligence, and had every prospect of a bright career before him. The bereaved parents received the sad news—per wire—from the Defence Department on Friday last. The ill-fated young warrior, —who was a native of Sebastopol, met his fate on August 7th. It is just about 12 months ago since Alec enlisted in West Australia. He joined the Light Horse, and went to the Front with the 2nd Expeditionary Force. Quite a number of old Egerton boys joined with him—including George Colk, Bert Harrison and others. Altogether, Pte Rae was about 4 months in the trenches, and took part in some heavy engagements. Some few weeks ago his parents had an interesting letter from him. He said he was then in a dug out—and spoke of Bert Harrison and George Colk (who were with him) and Trooper Tom Crowe. The latter has been in charge of military horses at the Camp in Egypt.
The late Pte. Rae spent a considerable time in West Australia. He was a very popular young fellow— and quickly made friends; he was a prominent footballer, and a good all-round sport. Deceased was educated at the Egerton State school, and on Friday the school flag was flown at half-mast—out of respect to the heroic young soldier. Much sympathy has been extended to the parents and relatives in their sad bereavement.”
A soldier named Hinds writing to Rae’s sister stated in a letter, “Alec lost his life going out to get Major Todd, and that he only stepped out over the parapet when he was hit. He said Alec was the best pal he ever had.”
Major Todd was a much loved officer of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, who survived the charge at 'The Nek'.
One of Alec Rae’s best mates was ‘Bert’ Harrison, who also came from Mount Egerton in Victoria, but was also living in Western Australia. (418 Pte. Robert Edward Harrison 10th Light Horse Regiment, died of wounds 22 July 1915.)
George Colk, 10th Light Horse Regiment, mentioned in the article above, also hailed from Victoria and died of wounds 31 August 1915.