Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Meiklejohn Munro is my Great Uncle and known to me as Uncle Bill as my father called him.  He was born at 55 Wallace St, Stirling, Scotland.  The was the Meiklejohn family home and no doubt his mother, Annie Hunter Munro nee Meiklejohn, returned home to have her  third baby with the support of her mother, Margaret Caldwell Meiklejohn.  

Uncle Bill was raised in Springburn, Glasgow, however, with the rest of his family; his father Joseph Munro, mother Annie, older sisters Margaret Caldwell, Isabella MacIntyre and eventually younger brothers James Meiklejohn and Joseph John (my Grandad).  

In the 1911 census he is listed as still living at home at 242 Springburn Road, Springburn, with the family, except Margaret, who had already left for Calcutta, India.  He was 24 years old and was working as a Chaffeur as a General Wharehouseman.  This part of Glasgow at that time was a hub of the industrial revolution for the United Kingdom.  

I believe he came out from Scotland in 1914 to join his parents and other siblings and their growing families in Brisbane, Australia.  He no doubt spent considerable time at the family home, Anniesland, Shakespeare St, Bulimba.  

In November 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in the 41st Battalion and embarked from Sydney for Plymouth England.  After spending some time in hospital in England he joined his unit in France for active service.  He was soon promoted to Lance Corporal in 1917 but was wounded in action soon after.  After treatment in England he returned to active service and returned to the position of Private.  He was once again wounded in action, this time seriously, with a wound to his head.  He ended up in the War Hospital Exeter but eventually returned to Australia on the Somali leaving in December 1918.  He appears to have had some considerable time recuperating in Australia before finally being discharged in 1921.

After this he had a son, Douglas Munro with Mary Munro nee Cantley and adopted her daughter Christina Hay Munro.  He worked as an electrician. Their family home was in Ashgrove, from where Uncle Bill and Mary Munro passed away in 1976 and 1979 respectively.  They were both cremated and their lives are remembered by plaques at the Albany Creek Crematorium.

I remember my father talking about his cousins Chrissy and Douglas.  I have a vague memory of meeting Chrissy and I believe she was always well dressed and fashionable.  Douglas passed away in 1980. I have no doubt that their families remember Uncle Bill and are proud of his service as are we.