MACKAY, Alexander Roderick Vincent
| Service Numbers: | 944, W233908 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 February 1917, Later served with the 1st Australia Siege Battery. |
| Last Rank: | Second Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 36th Heavy Artillery Group |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 1 May 1894 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Scotch College, Claremont |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk |
| Died: | Swanbourne, Perth, Western Australia, 17 November 1971, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Fremantle Cemetery, Western Australia Ashes scattered at the family grave, Presbyterian Mon E portion, grave 0087 |
| Memorials: | Beverley District Honour Roll WW1, Beverley War Memorial, Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll, Melbourne Bank of Australasia Roll of Honour WW1, Nedlands Scotch College WW1 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Feb 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 944, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, Later served with the 1st Australia Siege Battery. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1917: | Involvement Gunner, 944, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1917: | Embarked Gunner, 944, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 12 Dec 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Second Corporal, 944 |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , W233908, Citizen Military Forces; Bombardier at Fremantle RAA Coast. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1940: | Enlisted W233908 | |
| 27 Jul 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , W233908, Staff Captain with 3rd Australian Corps HQ RAA Coast, Fremantle. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
Alexander Roderick Vincent MacKay was born in Fremantle on the 1.5.1894. His father was Donald McDonald Mackay MLC (elected in 1896 to represent the North Province). Together with his brother Roderick, Donald had been involved in the development of the pearl fisheries in the North-West of Western Australia and was part owner of Mundbullangana station near Roebourne. Roderick's wife was Emily, who later married the Rev Robert Hanlin after Roderick died when his boat went missing during a storm. Alexander's father had significant property holdings in Fremantle and was Chief of the Fremantle Caledonian Society.
Alexander was educated at Scotch College, Claremont. Prior to enlistment, he had served with the 11th AGA., He was a bank clerk and Presbyterian. Alexander enlisted in Perth on the 14.2.17, aged 22 years 10 months. His father had died in 1904, so his mother, Emily Charlotte Mackay of 50B Stirling St Fremantle, was his next of kin. Alexander was described as being 5 feet 10½ inches tall, with a chest measurement of 34 inches, dark complexion, dark brown eyes and black hair. Allocated Service Number 944, he was a Gunner who served with the 36th Heavy Artillery Group and later the 1st Australia Siege Battery. He embarked on the 10.5.17 at Sydney on A24 HMAT Benalla and proceeded to France on the 7.11.17.
On the 5.2.19 he was detached to Admin Headquarters in London for duty. On the 11.6.19 he was promoted to ER 2 Cpl and on the 4.9.19 to T/VO Sergeant. Alexander returned to Australia on the 22.9.19 per Port Sydney. On the 4.11.19, he disembarked at Fremantle and reverted to the rank of ER 2nd Corporal. His discharge came on the 12.12.19.
Alexander's brother Samuel also served. Alexander married Rita Constance Brown on the 22.3.1928 at St John’s Church, Fremantle. In December 1944, Alexander was the Secretary of the Commercial Club situated at 11 Cantonment St, Fremantle, when it applied for a Certificate of Registration. His mother, Mrs Emily Charlotte MacKay, died on the 1.6.1954 and was buried at Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian Mon E section, grave 0087.
During World War 2, Alexander enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces on the 1.7.1940, aged 44, and was given Service Number W233908. Next of kin was his wife, Rita Constance Mackay of Parry St, Claremont. He was working as a Local Authority Officer. On the 1.7.1940 he was appointed Bombardier at Fremantle RAA Coast, then Lieutenant on the 24.9.40, on the 4.10.40 to be Sergeant and on the 18.1.41 to Captain. He was posted to Arthur’s Head ex Swanbourne on the 11.11.40. He returned to Swanbourne on 29.11.40.
Alexander attended Officers Training School at Bickleys Battery on the 10.11.41. On the 11.11.42, he was appointed to the Heavy Training Battery as staff, FFD. On the 16.1.43, he was appointed Staff captain Heavy Artillery FFD and Camp Commander during absence of the Duty Captain.16. On the 7.5.42 he transferred to HQ Fremantle Fixed Defences and on the 31.10.43, he was appointed Staff Captain with the 3 Aust Corps HQ RAA Coast Fremantle. Alexander retired on the 27.7.1944.
Alexander died on the 17.11.1971 at Swanbourne, aged 77. His ashes were scattered at the family grave in Fremantle Cemetery.
NAA WW1 Series #2455 Barcode 1962301 WW2 Barcode 5872311
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