The AIF Project

Ernest William McRAE

Regimental number1994
Place of birthMelbourne Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationPrinter
AddressPerry Street, Fairfield, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinMrs C McRae, 31 Palmerston Street, South Melbourne, Victoria
Enlistment date18 January 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll16 January 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 17 April 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 30 September 1917

FateReturned to Australia 9 March 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'During operations of 25th and 26th September at POLYGON WOOD this man displayed great coolness and devotion to duty in that he was on duty at a signal station at Battalion headquarters at BLACK WATCH CORNER which was continually heavily shelled. The station was in a tench which was blown in several times and on many occasions partially burying the 3 men on the station. He with the aid of 2 others stuck to the telephones and kept communication open. finally the position was blown out and it was necessary to move to the Pill Box where the work was carried on till the battalion was relieved. On one occasion, when there were no runners available, and telephone lines were broken he, accompanied by Private McRae carried a despatch to the forward Battalion Station and when returning laid a telephone wire and was successful in establishing telephonic communication again. This was done under heavy shelling.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Date of death18 December 1956

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