MCALONEY, Alexander
| Other Name: | McALONEY, Alexander Malcolmson - Redlegs Museum listing |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | 69 |
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
| Born: | Knockbrackin, Dounty Down, Northern Ireland, 20 November 1881 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Banker |
| Died: | Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia, 26 September 1964, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Roman Catholic-Lawn 3-0024B |
| Memorials: | Norwood Football Club War Veterans |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 69, 8th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
|---|
Help us honour Alexander McAloney's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
The family migrated to South Australia and the father, Robert, was school headmaster at Aldinga, Terowie, Willunga, Laura, Burra, Petersburg, Moonta and Marryatville.
From a British Loyalist family, Alex was keen to contribute to the Boer War effort and joined the A Contingent: 2nd Troop in Adelaide on 21 April 1902. His enlistment details say he was a Belfast-born British subject of 21 years and 6 months. An unmarried clerk, he was a Presbyterian, 5 ft 5 1/2in (166 cm), with dark blue eyes, dark hair, a sallow complexion, a 35-inch chest measurement and a scar on the right leg.
His next of kin is listed as his father, R. S. McAloney, who was still reeling from an incident at the Petersburg School the year before. The music teacher had sent the local publican's son to the headmaster because the boy said he could not sing. The boy ran away but was caught and McAloney beat him, bruising his legs. In return, the publican's wife struck McAloney a blow with a horsewhip and her husband said: "I'll pull your nose, Mac." It ended in court, with no winners or losers and costs shared all round.
On his return from South Africa, Alex McAloney was playing football in 1903 for Petersburg (later named Peterborough), then moved to WA. After an early blip - he was fined £5 for his role in a train carriage affray in 1905 - he played 10 games and kicked one goal for West Perth in 1906.
In 1912 he married Emily Jones of Gracemore House, Kojonup, the daughter of pioneer landowner William "Squatter" Jones. They moved to Perth and had daughters Dulcey and Jacqueline. After a career in banking. 'Mac' spent much of his later working life as an accountant with the Swan Brewery. He died at Nedlands, WA, on 26 September 1964
Click images to start slideshow.