MCPHERSON, Alexander
| Service Number: | 73 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 73, Queensland Imperial Bushmen | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1900: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 73, 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 475 notes 4th QIB embarked 18 May 1900 aboard Manchester Port arriving Beira 14 Jun 1900. | |
| 10 Aug 1901: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 73, 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 477 notes 4th QIB embarked 5 Jul 1901 aboard Britannic returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 5 Aug 1901, disbanded 10 Aug 1901. |
Obituary
Proserpine Guardian Friday 6TH May, 1949.
“The death occurred in the Proserpine District Hospital on Tuesday morning of another member of a pioneering family in the person of Mr. Alexander MacPherson, after a short illness.
He suffered a stroke last year from which he recovered but a further stroke occurred a week ago which resulted in his death.
Mr MacPherson who was aged 71, was a native of Inverness, Scotland. His parents came to Australia during the last century & when deceased grew to manhood he went to work on numerous sheep stations prior to enlisting for service with an Australian Contingent in the Boer War, Upon his return acted as an assistant to a surveyor in the Proserpine district for several years, and finally took up sugar farming in the Strathdickie district which he carried on for the past 40 years. During a portion of that period he took an active interest in the Strathdickie State School, being a member of the school committee, & also a member of the Strathdickie hall committee.
In 1913 he married Miss Minnie Mabel Fontaine, a native of the Burnett district, by whom he is survived also 3 sons, Messrs. Ken (Sinclair Bay), John & Angus (Strathdickie) & a daughter, Mrs. W. Hyden (Gregory) & 5 grandchildren.
The funeral moved from St Catherine’ Catholic Church at 5 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, the Rev Father J.J.Hegarty officiating at the services. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack &several returned men attended the funeral.”
Submitted 1 January 2025 by Lyn Burke
Personal Story
73 - 4TH QLD IMPERIAL BUSHMAN
Born 18.11.1876 in Ballier, Inverness, Scotland, to Allan & Mary (McDonald). The family immigrated to Australia in 1886.
18.5.1900 he embarked from Brisbane aboard Manchester Post bound for South Africa. The 4th were a mounted infantry & their tactics were gorilla actions. The 4th returned to Australia on 5.7.1901.
Alexander stayed in South Africa & joined the Special Squadron Steinaecker’s Horse. He was discharged on 13.7.1902 in Petersburg & returned to Proserpine. He began work as an assistant surveyor.
He married Minnie Mabel Fontaine & they had 5 children. They had properties at Kelsey Creek then at Strathdickie.
He passed away 25.4.1949. Is buried in the Proserpine Old Cemetery section C5-859.
Submitted 1 January 2025 by Lyn Burke
Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey
It appears Alexander McPherson served twice in the South African (Boer) War. He first served as a Private S.N. 73 in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. In June 1900 a unit named Steinaecker's Horse was raised in Natal South Africa by Major F Von Steinaecker with many recruits having previously served in other units. The nominal roll for Steinaecker's Horse (p. 30) notes Alexander McPherson enlisted 31 Jan 1902 with discharge on 15 Jul 1902 when the unit was disbanded. (source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 481; Anglo Boer War.com- Sreinaecker's Horse nominal roll).
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