| Regimental number | 2101 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Sailor |
| Address | 186 Gatehouse Street, Parkville, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19 |
| Height | 5' 5.25" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J F MacLaren, 186 Gatehouse Street, Parkville, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 8th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/25/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 60th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 19 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 21), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 170 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John and Sarah MACLAREN, 437 Barkly Street, St. Kilda. Native of Kensington, Victoria |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front `Joined 8th Bn, Gallipoli, 6 August 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to 60th Bn, 24 February 1916, and taken on strength. Found guilty, 15 June 1916, of being absent from morning parade: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Reported Missing, 19 July 1916. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'. Statement, Red Cross File No 1940406, 2853 Pte G.S. LATHAM, 60th Bn (patient, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England), 11 October 1916: 'At Fleurbaix I saw him just outside our barb wire lying down face down as if he was dead. I knew him well enough to recognise im, he was in same Coy. and a mate of mine, you know a man's back well enough to recognise him. He did not move. I went on.' Note on file: 'No trace Germany[.] Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.' Letter, Mrs MacLAREN, mother, to [presumably] Red Cross Bureau, 16 November 1916: 'I am one of the sorrowing mothers whose sons were in the 60th Battalion & missing since July 19. I did not get any notice from the department until Sep. 5. By that time there was neither an "Age" or "Argus" available with any report of that battle. The number missing is appalling & not one of us can get a trace of information. May I beg you to graciously forward a copy of the "Daily Mail" or any paper giving some account of this dreadful affair that took place on July 19, south of Armentieres.' Postscript to letter: 'Our hearts are torn with anxiety. This boy once at Gallipoli came across part of an English paper where a mother was seeking news of her missing son. My boy wrote to me:- "I wrote to the mother & will do all I can to trace him for her." Will you help his [underlined] mother please?' |
| Miscellaneous details | Surname incorrectly recorded on Embarkation Roll as McLAREN. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, MacLAREN Frank Forbes
Red Cross File No 1940406 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
