| Regimental number | 119 |
| Place of birth | Brunswick, Victoria |
| School | State School No 1213, Brunswick, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 14 Howson Street, West Brunswick, Victoria |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 162 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Alice McPhee, 20 Mary Street, West Brunswick, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Keswick, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, A Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Had previously enlisted in the AIF, but had discharged on account of his wife?s health and the need to look after their five children (from Alice McPhee's letters, 14 July 1915 and 9 January 1919). |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 31 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 5), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 120 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Richard and Ann McPHEE; husband of Alcie McPHEE, 17 Mary Street, West Brunswick, Victoria |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 3870 Pte Norman Donald McPHEE, killed in action, 29 June 1916. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex-HMAT 'Geelong', 18 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, McPHEE William James Oliver
Red Cross file 1970206 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
