John Carlisle (Jack) MCKELLAR

MCKELLAR, John Carlisle

Service Number: 6569
Enlisted: 1 April 1916, Warranbool, Vic.
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 8th Infantry Battalion
Born: Allansford, Vic., 8 March 1888
Home Town: Ballangeich, Moyne, Victoria
Schooling: Ballangeich School, Warrnambool Agricultural High School
Occupation: Assistant Teacher Shepparton State School
Died: Died of wounds, Belgium, 26 October 1917, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Bedford House Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium
Enclosure No 2 V B 20
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mooroopna Shepparton News Calendar & Pictorial Honour Roll of Fallen Heroes, Shepparton & District War Memorial, Warrnambool Agricultural High School "They Died For Us" Honour Roll, Warrnambool Agricultural High School Honor Roll
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World War 1 Service

1 Apr 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6569, 8th Infantry Battalion, Warranbool, Vic.
2 Oct 1916: Involvement Private, 6569, 8th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: ''
2 Oct 1916: Embarked Private, 6569, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of John and Jean McKellar, of Ballangeich, Victoria. 

"UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS"

Many people in Shepparton will regret to hear that Sergt. J. C. [John Carlyle] McKellar died of wounds in France on October 26th. At the time of enlistment he was an assistant teacher at the Shepparton State school, and prior to his departure from the town the school children were drawn up in the large quadrangle, addresses were delivered by Mr. J. B. Brunton (then head master), by members of the school committee and others. Presentations were made to him, and his worth as a teacher and his popularity were generally acknowledged. The deceased soldier was a good athlete, and he was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church Cricket Club. A brother of his, Pte. Duncan McKellar (previously reported missing), died in Germany on April 11th. Their parents, Mr and Mrs John McKellar, reside at Ballangeich, and are well known in the Warrnambool district.

John C. McKellar, son of Mr. J. McKellar, of Ballangeich, was born on the 8th March 1888.  He attended the Ballangeich School, and the Warrnambool High School (1907-08) then, in 1909, was appointed junior teacher at Wangerrip; in 1914, head teacher at Ravenswood South; and in the same year, assistant at Shepparton.  He ceased duty on the 29th Feburary, 1916, leaving a record as a concientious, diligent, and painstaking teacher.  He was popular with the various communities by reason of his bright and happy disposition.  He enlisted on the 1st of April 1916, and embarked with the 21st Reinforcements to the 8th Battalion on the transport Nestor on the 2nd of October.  After training in England he proceeded to France, and joined his unit on the 6th of February 1917.  He was wounded on the 25th of October, and died the next day.   A brother, Private Duncan McKellar, died a prisoner of war in Germany.

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