William George McGregor (1895 - 1918)

Born 27 Jan 1895 in Lochiel, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Died 26 Mar 1918 at age 23 in France

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Biography

William McGregor was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

William McGregor is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Private William McGregor served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I
Service started: 02 Mar 1916
Unit(s): 32nd Infantry Battalion
Service ended: 26 Mar 1918

Pte. William McGregor Died of Wounds at France during World War One.

William McGregor was awarded the British War Medal.

William McGregor was awarded the Victory Medal.

William George McGregor was born the 27th of January 1895 at Lochiel, South Australia, Australia.
He was the son of James McGregor & Elizabeth Rogers.
^[1][2]

Military

William George McGregor served with the AIF during World War One.^[3][4]
Name: William George McGregor
Service Number: 3288
Date of Enlistment: 2nd March 1916
Place of Enlistment: Snowtown, South Australia
Rank: Private
Height: 5ft 10in
Weight: 134lb
Chest: 36 1/2 in
Fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair.

Proceeded overseas to France onboard S.S. "Golden Eagle", departed 11th November 1916.
Sent to England for hospitalisation with bronchitis 23/12/1916 on "H.S. Carisbrook Castle".

Convicted of being AWL from 3:30pm 23/2/1917 till 4pm 24/2/1917 and awarded 3 days CC and docked 2 days pay under RW
Remained in England serving in the 70th and 32nd Battalions, including several periods in hospital, including 12 days with VD.

Proceeded again to France 23rd November 1917.
Wounded in action 18/3/1918. Gun shot wound to left groin.
Awarded the British War medal, 1914/15 Star and Victory Medal.
His father received a memorial plaque, a memorial scroll and the King's message.^[5]

Death & Burial

William George McGregor died the 26th of March 1918 as a result of the wounds received in action. William died at the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station in the field in France. William was buried the 28th of March 1918 at Outtersteene Cemetery, France by Rev G. Hardingate.^{[6] [7]}

A package of his personal effects was consigned from England per S.S. "Barunga". This vessel was lost at sea, with all cargo, as a result of enemy action. The package included disc, letters, photos, notebook, testament, metal wrist watch and strap, waist belt, note case, wallet, leather purse, 1 badge, 2 coins, metal mirror, 1 silver ring and 1 penknife.^[8]

His death was also registered in South Australian Births Deaths and Marriages Registry.^[9]

His family published the following tribute in "The Express and Telegraph" on Wednesday 1st May 1918.

• Died On Active Service.

McGregor.—Died of wounds, on March 28, at the Second Casualty Clearing Station, France, No. 3288, Private W. G. McGregor, 32nd Battalion, A.I.F., dearly beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. McGregor, Lochiel, aged 23 years and 2 months.

He left his home, his native land,

To help Australia's gallant band;

His heart was brave, he knew no fear,

And freedom's cause to him was dear.

The soul of his country swells with pride,

With the deeds he did and the death he died.

His manly form rests in a foreign grave,

But his name will live with Australia's brave.

Great is our sorrow, but God knows best,

He has taken our loved one home to rest.

- Inserted by his loving father and mother, brother and sisters, Lochiel.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia BDM Index Birth 1895 560/117 William George McGregor, James McGregor(F) and Elizabeth Ann Rogers(M), Lochiel, district of Daly; GenealogySA database genealogysa.org.au Accessed 6 Jan 2021.
2. ↑ William George Mcgregor in the Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922
   Name: William George Mcgregor
   Birth Date: 27 Jan 1895
   Birth Place: Lochiel
   Registration Place: Daly, South Australia, Australia
   Father: James Mcgregor
   Mother: Elizabeth Ann Rogert
   Page number: 117
   Volume Number: 560
   [Ancestry.com.au] Accessed 10 Dec 2021.
3. ↑ cwgc.org
   

   Country of Service: Australian
   

   Additional Info: Son of James and Elizabeth Ann McGregor, of Lochiel, South Australia.
   

   Personal Inscription: HE GAVE HIS LIFE AT DUTY'S CALL BELOVED BY COMRADES ONE AND ALL

4. ↑ aif.adfa.edu.au
5. ↑ National Archives of Australia, Defence and War Service Records; [NAA: B2455, McGregor W G] Accessed 7 Jan 2021.
6. ↑ World War 1 Service: Veteran Details for William George McGREGOR for Service with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Regimental Number: 3288; Unit: 32nd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement; Enlistment Date: 07 Mar 1916; Died of wounds 26 March 1918 Link to UNSW AIF Project Record: accessed 11 Jan 2023
7. ↑ FindAGrave, database and images, memorial page for Pvt William George McGregor; Born: 27 Jan 1895 Lochiel, South Australia; Died: 26 Mar 1918 France; Cemetery: Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension Outtersteene, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France; Find A Grave: Memorial #56496814; maintained by: Digger; created by: War Graves; accessed: 11 Jan 2023
8. ↑ National Archives of Australia, Defence and War Service Records; [NAA: B2455, McGregor W G] Accessed 7 Jan 2021.
9. ↑ SA BDM Index Death 1918 420/106 William George McGregor, no relative recorded, district of Adelaide; GenealogySA database [1] Accessed 6 Jan 2021.
10. ↑ "The Express and Telegraph" (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922) Wed 1 May 1918 Page 1 Family Notices; NLA trove newspapers [2] Accessed 7 Jan 2021.

See also:

1. Commonwealth War Graves; Outtersteene Communal Cemetry Extension, Bailleul; [3] Accessed 7 Jan 2021.