Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

TAIT, Alan Taylor MC (1891-1969)

‘Old Collegian’, staff member and Vice-Principal from 1939 to 1957, Alan Tait was notable for his war service during which he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry during World War I.

Born on 29 April 1891, the son of the Rev George (1844-1934) and Mary Agnes nee Sym, of The Manse, Punt Road, South Yarra, he was educated at the Geelong College and Ormond College, University of Melbourne, where he graduated MA; achieving Exhibitions in Latin, Greek, Logic and Psychology. He went on to study at the University of Edinburgh. His father had been a student at Scotch College, Melbourne from 1852 to 1856 and 1859 to 1861 and Geelong Grammar School in 1857 and 1858. Alan Tait entered the College as a student in 1903 and became a notable member of the cricket Team in 1907 and 1908 and the Football Team from 1906 to 1908. In 1908, he became a member of the Athletics Team and capped off his student years by winning the Dr Gus Kearney Prize as well. That year he was also a School Prefect. After leaving College he studied at the Universities of Melbourne and Edinburgh.

‘He enlisted at Edinburgh, as 17257 Private A T Tait, in the Royal Scots on 29 September 1914, and served in France with 17 Battalion Royal Scots from 4 January 1916 until 29 September 1918. He was wounded at Thiepval on 1 July 1916, at the opening of the July Offensive. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant on 25 April 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross that month, the citation reading: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in vacating, under orders, a position and withdrawing to a sunken road, and then retaking the same position in the face of a very heavy fire. He held this position until it became untenable and then was ordered to withdraw. His coolness was magnificent, and he showed himself a fine leader of men”. Pegasus of August 1918 reported: “He has been awarded the Military Cross. He enlisted from Edinburgh in the Royal Scots in 1914, was wounded in 1916, and gained his commission in 1917. Wounded again on 29 September 1918 at the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, Tait was evacuated to the UK, where he was demobilised in Edinburgh on 16 January 1919’.

After his war service, he married Dorothy Ada Tate in 1920, daughter of Frank (Director of State Education in Victoria) and Ada Dorothy Tate. He joined the Geelong College staff from 1920 to 1930 where he was Senior Classics and English teacher until his appointment in 1931 to Scots College, Warwick in Queensland. He returned to Geelong College as Vice-Principal in 1939 succeeding A H MacRoberts, and several times acting as Principal. He continued in this role until retirement in 1957. He was a member of the Committee of the OGCA and its President in 1946. The Tait Forecourt at the Senior School is named in his honour.

He died on 10 August 1969, aged 78. Des D Davey followed Alan Tait as Vice-Principal. Both Alan Tait’s sons Dr Alan S and Dr Frank G Tait attended the College. His Military Cross was donated to the College in 1999.

Source : The Geelong College - http://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au:8080/wiki/TAIT-Alan-Taylor-MC-1891-1969.ashx?HL=tait