Regimental number | 3873 |
Place of birth | Lismore, New South Wales |
School | Cleveland Street Superior Public School Sydney, New South Wales |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Dairy farmer |
Address | Lismore, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 26 |
Height | 5' 6" |
Weight | 133 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, R McGuarr, Lismore, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Holsworthy, New South Wales |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 19th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/36/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A54 Runic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 55th Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Pozieres, Somme Sector, France |
Age at death | 27 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 27 |
Place of burial | No known grave |
Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 13), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 161 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Richard and Elizabeth McGUARR |
Family/military connections | Brother: 5051 Pte William Henry McGUARR, 20th Bn, returned to Australia, 10 January 1918. |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Sydney, 20 January 1916; disembarked Alexandria, 26 February 1916. Transferred to 55th Bn from 5th Brigade Details, Moascar, 3 April 1916; taken on strength of 55th Bn, Ferry Post, 3 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. On 10 February 1917 in a letter from Private McGuarr's father to Base Records it was stated, 'I have had word from his [Private McGuarr] comrade who went with him that he had been wounded in the German front trench.' Previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, 20 July 1916, on the authority of the Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, 3rd Echelon, General Headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, 13 March 1917. In a statement dated 13 November (but with no year), Pte O. Hodgson, 2677, 55th Bn, reported whilst at Northants War Hospital, 'that on July 20/16 at Vermelles, McGuarr was shot in the stomach just over own front line which was the old German line of trenches. He did not see him afterwards but heard he had died.' Report from Australian Red Cross, Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, 15 October 1920, 'Guarr, Mc. R.T. 3873. 55 Batl?.Fell 19.7.16 near Fromelles. Final German Death List, S'. Note on Red Cross File No 1910207: 'Disc received from Germany and forwarded to Next of Kin 26.6.19.' Statement, 2677 Pte O. HODGSON, 55th Bn (patient, Northants War Hospital, Duston, England), 13 November [1916]: 'Informant states that on July 20/16 at Vermelles (sic) McGuarr was shot in the stomach just over our own front line which was the old German line of trenches. He did not see him afterwards but heard that he had died.' Second statement, 2677 Pte O. HODGSON, 55th Bn (now patient, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Darford, England), 8 December 1916: 'Witness states that early in the morning of July 20th he saw the above lying desperately wounded between the German lines and our at Fromelles. He was so badly hit about the body, particularly in the stomach, that he must have died almost immediately after they left him. Witness helped cover him with a coat.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Miscellaneous details | Father's address subsequently 127 Renwick Street, Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales (16 January 1920) |
Sources | NAA: B2455, McGUARR Richard James
Red Cross File No 1910207 |