FINLAYSON, Christopher
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, 3 September 1881 |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Professional Soldier |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, 7th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 8 May 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 7th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, 2nd Krithia. GSW to right leg with fractures to both bones. Right leg amputated 10 June 1915. Sent to England. | |
| 1 Jan 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Major, 7th Infantry Battalion, Honorary | |
| 31 May 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Major, 7th Infantry Battalion, Appointment terminated (medically unfit). |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
Christopher Finlayson was born in Fitzroy, Vic., the son of John & Agnes Finlayson, of North Fitzroy. He was 32 years & 11 months old and lived in Osborne House, Bendigo. Christopher Finlayson was a Professional Soldier: University Corps of Officers (1900), Lieutenant Army Service Corps (1902), Promoted Captain (1908), Administrative and Instructional Staff, Bendigo (1912), and was currently Adjutant of 67th Infantry Regiment & assistant Brigade Major of 17th Brigade.
On August 14, 1914, Colonel H. E. Elliott was charged with the task of raising a battalion to be drawn from the existing 17th (Territorial) Brigade Area. Elliott immediately asked for a list of recommended officers to be forwarded from each local unit. Lieutenant Christopher Finlayson was included in this list. Having received the list of recommended officers Colonel Elliott telegraphed Lieutenant Finlayson asking him to report for an interview. Having been approved by Elliott he was asked to apply for a commission in the 7th Battalion, Expeditionary Force.
Christopher Finlayson applied for a Commission in the AIEF and was subsequently appointed to Headquarters Staff, 7th Battalion, as Adjutant (19/8/14). While at Broadmeadows he Married Mary Elspeth Hill.
The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’. On the same day Christopher Finlayson was promoted to the rank of Captain. Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids. (6/12/14)
In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized. In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company. This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.
The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915. During the Landing Christopher Finlayson had a lucky escape. “Splashes of shrapnel hit his hand, a bullet passing through the pair of wire-cutters he was holding. The bullet went through his shirt and singlet, hitting him on the abdomen without breaking the skin. The force of the impact, however, was such that the place was bruised and sore and swollen for a couple of months afterwards.” [ Interview. Bendigonian May 18, 1916]
In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles. The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided. The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th. The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia” (8-11 May). This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.
Capt. Christopher Finlayson, was severely wounded as he reached the front line, sustaining a Bullet wound to his right leg. Both bones were fractured, and his leg was amputated on 10/6/15.
On 1/1/16 he was given the rank of Hon. Major, and RTA on 17/3/16.
“The First Lot. 7th Battalion. The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone
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