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Robert Kerr (Jock) MCLAREN MC and Bar, MID Update Details

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MCLAREN, Robert Kerr

• Personal Details
• Service History
• Personal Stories

Step 1: Personal Details

Service Numbers:	QX21058, Q61098
Enlisted:	12 March 1941
Last Rank:	Captain
Last Unit:	Z Special Unit
Born:	Kirkcaldy, Scotland, 27 April 1902
Home Town:	Ashgrove, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Stud Master
Died:	Accident , Papua New Guinea , 3 March 1956, aged 53 years
Cemetery:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:	Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial

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Step 2: Service History

World War 2 Service

12 Mar 1941:	Involvement Captain, Q61098, Z Special Unit, also QX21058
12 Mar 1941:	Involvement QX21058, also Q61098
12 Mar 1941:	Enlisted
23 Apr 1941:	Enlisted QX21058, Z Special Unit
23 Apr 1941:	Enlisted Private, QX21058, Reception Camp, Marched into Exhibition Gardens
17 May 1941:	Transferred Private, 1 Armoured Training Regiment, Tech Trade Pool MT Fitters Course E.C.
10 Jan 1942:	Transferred Private, 2nd/10th Ordnance Workshop
10 Jan 1942:	Embarked Private, QX21058, 2nd/10th Ordnance Workshop, Disembarked Singapore, via Batavia 26. 1. 1942.
2 Feb 1942:	Involvement Private, QX21058, 2nd/10th Ordnance Workshop, Appointed Trade Group 1 Fitter
16 Feb 1942:	Imprisoned Escaped and reported as on active service.
1 Jul 1943:	Promoted Sergeant, Special List
1 Jan 1944:	Promoted Lieutenant, Special List
15 Apr 1945:	Promoted Captain, Special List
7 Jun 1945:	Transferred Captain, Z Special Unit
10 Jun 1945:	Embarked Captain, QX21058, Z Special Unit, Departed for service outside Australia, mandated territory.
12 Oct 1945:	Honoured Military Cross, Coolness and Courage at Sotek on 30th June, 1945.
16 Nov 1945:	Honoured Mention in Dispatches, Distinguished Services South - West Pacific Area.
16 Nov 1945:	Honoured Military Cross and bar, Outstanding Courage in the PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. JUNE 43, APRIL 45.
4 Dec 1945:	Embarked Captain, QX21058, Z Special Unit, Disembarked from service outside Australian mandated territory.
14 Jan 1946:	Discharged Captain, Z Special Unit
14 Jan 1946:	Discharged QX21058, Z Special Unit

Step 3: Personal Stories

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Links and Documents

• Research Links

• Australian Dictionary of Biography
• Australian War Memorial - Images, Honours and Awards, Recommendations
• Department of Veterans Affairs - WWII Nominal Roll
• National Archives Australia - Service Record
• Trove Illustrated Newspaper Article - ONE DIGGER TO ANOTHER
• Trove Illustrated Newspaper Article - SOLDIER'S JUNGLE SURGERY
• Trove Illustrated Newspaper Article- Stirring Times With Philippines' Guerillas

• DVA WW2 Certificate QX21058 Captain Robert Kerr McLaren MC*

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