Robert John MCPHERSON
Personal
Born: 1891
Birth registration: Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration No. 35396
Birthplace: Melton
Parents: John McPherson (1853-1940)
Eliza Jane Morrison (1856-1923)
Died: 1 January, 1972
Place of death: Heidelberg, Victoria
Awards and Honours
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
Battalions
5th Reinforcement, 5th Field Company Engineers
Events
Enlistment
Regimental Service Number: 7237
Enlistment date: 31 December, 1915 Melbourne
Age at enlistment: 24 years 3 months
Address at enlistment: Toolern Vale
Religion: Presbyterian
Marital Status: Single
Next of kin: Father: John McPherson, Darunic, Toolern Vale
Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Weight: 128 pounds
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Distinctive marks: 2 x vaccination, left arm
Embarkation ship: HMAT A 16 Star of Victoria.
Rank: Sapper
Return Date: 7 July, 1916
Return Vessel: Hospital Ship Karoola.
Arrival at Australia: 2 August, 1916.
Discharge Date: 8 September, 1916
War Service Summary
31/03/1916 - Embarked for duty overseas aboard HMAT A 16 Star of Victoria from Sydney
05/05/1916 - Disembarked and joined Miscellaneous Reinforcements at Tel-el-Kebir
15/05/1916 - 3rd Australian General Hospital, Cairo; rheumatism and myocarditis mild
04/07/1916 - Transferred to Karoola at Abbassia
05/07/1916 - Embarked from Suez aboard Karorla for discharge; recurrent rheumatism
02/08/1916 - Arrived in Melbourne
26/08/1916 - At No. 11 Australian General Hospital; chronic rheumatism and cardiac
08/09/1916 - Discharged; medically unfit
09/09/1916 - Granted a pension of $2 per fortnight
06/12/1917 - Pension reduced to 15/- per fortnight
War Service Commemerated
Life After the War
1919 Married Ethel Sarah Trethowan Reg. # 1745 shows John McPherson marrying Sarah Ethel Trethowan
Place/s of residence:
1915, 1919, 1922, 1928, 1934 Toolern Vale farmer (Electoral Rolls)
1942 Melton farmer (Electoral Rolls)
Occupations:
1915-1942 - Farmer (Electoral Rolls)
Date of death:
01/01/1972 - Heidelberg
Place of burial:
Other relevant information:
Apprenticed to South Melbourne Buckeye Harvester Company for 5 years
Additional Information
Melton Express
12 August 1916, p. 3
Sapper R. J. McPherson is back from Egypt on sick leave. His home leave at present is a fortnight, after which he is to report at Headquarters. Both he and Gunner Wynne have the same complaint to make, "No letters from home since they left Australia." A letter dated 16th June, received from W. G. Hogg last Saturday, shows that he was in the firing line in France, "doing his bit."
The Bacchus Marsh Express
Saturday 18 August 1917, P 2
And
Melton Express
Saturday 18 August 1917, P 2
The meeting to form a committee to entertain local soldiers returning from Active Service was held on Monday evening, and there was an unusually large attendance of both ladies and gentlemen Cr. J. F. Minns in the chair. The following committee was appointed: -Rev. F. Stanley Love (President), Mr. Jas. H. Cunningham (Hon. Sec.), Messrs. Wraith, Robinson, J. F. Minns;, Whittington and G. McDonald. It was decided to hold a social on Friday 31st inst., to entertain the, present returned soldiers – Privates J. Minns, R. McPherson, G. Ware, Keating, P. Nolan, M. A. Nolan, Lachmund and Jurd.
The Bacchus Marsh Express
8 September 1917, p. 2
And
Melton Express
8 September 1917, p. 2
The social held in the Melton Mechanics' hall on Saturday night last, to extend a welcome, home to the local men who have returned from Active Service, proved to be one of the most enjoyable functions held in the hall for some time. Accommodation was taxed to its utmost, and all entered into the spirit of welcome with that enthusiasm looked for on these occasions. A varied and plentiful supply of refreshments, kindly supplied by the ladies, tended to add to the enjoyment. The Rev. Love extended to the men present (Corporals A. Nolan and E. Keating, Privates P. Nolan, J. Minns, Geo. Ware and R. McPherson) a hearty welcome back to their native land, and also spoke in appropriate terms of the sacrifices made on behalf of their country. Rev. Father Egan spoke feelingly of the hardships of the soldier's life, and honored the men who so willingly risked their all, and also joined in their welcome home. Councillors Robinson and J.F. Minns, Messrs. J. H. Cunningham, and Standish (Rockbank) also spoke. Each of the returned men responded. At 11.45 a very enjoyable evening terminated.
Sources
Service Record
Newspaper accounts