MCGILLIVRAY, James
| Service Numbers: | 9, 419 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Regimental Sergeant Major |
| Last Unit: | 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Avenmore, Scotland , 30 January 1851 |
| Home Town: | Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Grazier |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Vankollensfontein, South Africa, Van Kollensfontein, South Africa, 21 July 1901, aged 50 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Boer War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mount Gambier Boer War Memorial, North Adelaide St Peter's Cathedral Boer War Honour Roll |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement 419 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Corporal, 9, 1st South Australian Mounted Rifles | |
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Warrant Officer I, 419, 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen | |
| 10 Nov 1900: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Regimental Sergeant Major, 419, 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Sons
312 Trooper James Alexander McGillivray 9th Light Horse Regiment, killed in action 28th August 1915 age 26.
313 Private John Robert McGillivray 9th Light Horse Regiment, returned to Australia 13 December 1915.
His two sons, 312 Private James Alexander McGillivray and 313 Private John Robert McGillivray enlisted for WW1 on the same day on October 1914. Both joined the 9th Light Horse AIF in South Australia and left Australia in February 1915. Both brothers were sent to Gallipoli on the 16th May 1915, and as members of the 9th Light Horse they were fortunate to be the reserve regiment for the Brigade’s disastrous attack on the Nek on 7th August, but subsequently suffered 50 per cent casualties attacking Hill 60 on 27th August. James, the elder brother, was killed in action during this fight, on the 28th August 1915, and was buried by a chaplain of the Connaught Rangers, somewhere close to Hill 60. His grave was never found and his name is now remembered on the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey.
John McGillivray, only 20 years of age, had the sad duty of writing to his mother Sophie and informing her of the death of his brother. John survived the August battles on Gallipoli but was evacuated with enteric fever in late October 1915. Transferred to Egypt, it was decided to send him home to Australia, where he arrived in January 1916. John McGillivray was discharged from the AIF at his own request in November 1916, perhaps illness forced his decision or it may be that he felt his family had given enough.
Biography
Joined Adelaide Volunteers in 1879, and was sergeant in Parkside Company and sergeant of the Special Drill Company.
Won battalion and many other prizes for shooting, and was highest in 1885 for SouthAustralia against Devon, England.
Selected in international firing team, Scotch against Melbourne, in 1887, and won £51 in prizes that year in Melbourne.
Served six years in the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and since the formation of the Rifle Company at Mount Gambier has been connected with that corps.
Also served with 5th and 6th Contingents' Regimental Sergeant Major when killed in action at Van Kollensfontein on 21 July 1901.
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