Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DOUGLAS ALEXANDER McINNES (1867-1951) born at Buckland River VIC, son of Alexander and Eliza McInnes nee Hamilton – aka Alexander. He enlisted at Corryong in February and signed up at Broadmeadow on March 25th, 1916, as Private 1748, and doctored his age downwards, stating he was 43 years and 10 month of age and that his name was Alexander McInnis. He had been with the 18/4th Light Horse at Seymour before enlisting. His daily rate of pay was 6/- a day, and 3/- was allocated as an allotment for his wife and family. He was sent to Egypt first, and embarked from Alexandria on the Franconia on June 6th, disembarking at Plymouth ten days later with the 46th battalion. Subsequently he was sent to the Codford Depot at Weymouth where he underwent a medical examination. The doctors requested immediate retirement from the Service as he was old, looking decrepit, aged 49, no use for military service. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that had been present prior to his enlistment – pain in cardiac area after exertion, shortness of breath, enlarged heart. He was released from the 11th Australian General Hospital to join the HMAT Euripedes at Plymouth on July 21st, 1917 and received his discharge on October 30th. Although his papers state that he never saw active duty he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.