MCKAY, Rayford Royal
| Service Number: | 4255 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 August 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mildura, Vic., 23 September 1898 |
| Home Town: | Mildura, Mildura Shire, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Postal Employee |
| Died: | 2 January 1986, aged 87 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Portland Cemetery, Glenelg Shire, Victoria, Australia, |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4255, 5th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 4255, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 4255, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Melbourne |
Military Medal
“On the 14th June 1918, near MONT de MERRIS, while taking a message from his post to the post on his right during a counter-attack by the enemy, Lance Corporal McKAY was seized by three Germans. Later, when one man was left as his escort, Lance Corporal McKAY waited his opportunity and attacked his escort. He then succeeded in returning to his post and together with a small party of men pursued a body of about twenty of the enemy across No Man’s Land. This N.C.O’s. dash and initiative undoubtedly saved his own life and caused many enemy casualties. (Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Battalion)”.
His military medal was promulgated in the London Gazette on 21 Oct 1918 and Australian Commonwealth Gazette on 12 Feb 1919.
www.awm.gov.au
Submitted 1 May 2021 by Rosemary Bruce-Mullins
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Alexander Fraser McKay, Karadoc Avenue, Mildura, Victoria
Military Medal
'During an enemy counter-attack on our posts near STRAZEELE on 14th June, 1918, whilst taking a message from the post on his right, Lance Corporal MCKAY was seized by three Germans. Later when one man was left as his escort he waited his opportunity and attacked his escort. He succeeded in returning to his post and together with a small party of men pursued a body of about twenty of the enemy across No Man's Land.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 23
Date: 12 February 1919
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