Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alexander Robertson McLauchlan was the third surviving son of Hugh Murray and Elizabeth Kirk (née Scott) McLauchlan, of 117 Stafford Street, Dunedin. Born on 20 March 1892 at Dunedin, he was educated at Forbury School, Dunedin, and afterwards privately. At Forbury in 1900, Alexander was awarded Second class merit for Standard II. The certificates were presented on the morning after the “Razzle Dazzle” (December), there being too much going on and such a crowd at the “Razzle Dazzle” to concentrate on speeches and come forward to accept certificates. In 1904 he again featured at the school presentation, receiving a certificate of merit for third in Standard VI. Alec enjoyed success in the 1907 annual examinations of the Dunedin Technical classes – first class in junior mathematics, honours in shorthand theory, and second class in penmanship and commercial correspondence. In March the following year he was one of the students who were granted senior free places by the Education Department for three years at the Dunedin Technical School. It appears that Alec was into sports in Dunedin. He (A. McLaughlan) represented the North-East Valley Presbyterian Junior Bible Class in an Association football match against St Andrews Bible Class in a match in August 1907. Throughout 1910 he played for the Northern Club, reported as playing well, having good combination and showing prominently. In June 1909 he was given a handicap of 35 seconds for the Dunedin Anglican Harriers’ One-mile Open Handicap Race. A. McLauchlan won the annual road race from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, held under the auspices of the Dunedin Harriers, in 1909.

On leaving school, Alec started work in the Evening Star Office (newspaper) in Dunedin and took up journalism. Alexander was a reporter on the staff of the “Gisborne Times” when he enlisted. There he was known by his work mates as “Little Mac”. He was a member of the Gisborne Rowing Club, filling the bow position in one of the B grade teams for a club event on 6 December 1912. In October 1913, he competed in the Gisborne Club’s B Grade Fours for the Nicholls and Griffiths trophies. The next month A. R. McLauchlan was in the B grade crew to compete for J. F. Pettie’s trophies. At the April 1913 annual meeting of the United Football Club (Gisborne), Alexander was elected a new member. He took a keen interest in all sports. Formerly he had worked for 18 months on the literary staff of the “Timaru Post” before joining the staff of the “Timaru Herald”.

Among the volunteers for service with the Expeditionary Force who were called on to parade at the Garrison Hall (Gisborne) at 7.30 o’clock sharp on the night of 19 August 1914 was A. R. McLauchlan. They were required to be ready to leave for camp on 21 August, equipped as fully as supplies allowed. When the war broke out, Alex had immediately offered his services, enlisting on 18 August 1914 at Gisborne. Aged 22 years, single and Anglican, he nominated his father, Hugh Murray McLauchlan, then of Main South Road, Dunedin, as next-of-kin. His own address was care of the Times Office, Gisborne. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 137 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-35½ inches. His physical development was normal, he was free of diseases, and he had no marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease. His complexion was dark, his eyes grey and his hair dark. All his faculties were good, his sight, hearing and colour vision normal, as were his heart and lungs; his teeth only fair. Before leaving, Mr A. R. M’Lauchlan was entertained by the staff of the ‘Gisborne Times’, to which he has been attached for two and a-half years, and presented with tokens of good-fellowship, with best wishes for a successful campaign. In camp at Palmerston North in September 1914, with B Company of the Wellington Infantry Regiment of the Main Expeditionary Force was A. R. M’Laughlin [sic]. After training at Awapuni and Trentham Military camps, Private A. R. McLauchlan embarked with the Wellington Infantry Battalion on 16 October 1914, going via Hobart and Albany, and was in Cairo, Egypt by 4 December.

He got through the war unscathed until July 1915, according to a postcard received by a friend in Timaru. Private McLauchlan had also written to a friend on the staff of the “Gisborne Times,” reporting “all well,” after a fortnight in the trenches on Gallipoli Peninsula. His relatives in Dunedin had received the same message in a cheery cable on June 8. A month later the sad advice was received that he had been killed in action on 8 August 1915 at the Dardanelles. He was shot in the leg and while being carried on a stretcher by Australian Medics he was fatally wounded by a Turkish sniper. This information was conveyed to his parents in person by one of the Australian Medics. The Wellington Battalion had reached the summit of Chunuk Bair just before dawn and held it throughout the day. By the evening, when they were relieved, only 70 of 760 men were still standing. Many Canterbury men were killed on 7/8 August 1915, seven of them with Timaru connections. Twenty-three-year-old Alec was a fit, healthy young man, a most capable and promising reporter, one who had left behind many friends. He had taken a keen interest in all sports. “He died for a noble cause. To know him was to love him.” (Otago Daily Times, 30 August 1915; Otago Witness, 1 September 1915). The same heavy casualty list also named six Gisborne men who had been killed in action. The Gisborne Times of 28 August 1915 carried an especially poignant appreciation on Private Alexander Robertson McLauchlan, quoted here –

‘The sad news received yesterday that Private A. R. McLauchlan had been killed in action at the Dardanelles came as a great shock to his many friends in Gisborne, but the blow especially hit home to his comrades on the staff of the “Gisborne Times,” who had worked side by side with him for over two years, and all of whom had followed his campaigning career with the deepest interest, from the time he laid down his pen in the reporters’ room to take up a rifle in defence of the cause of liberty and justice.

On a certain afternoon in September last, the members of the “Times” staff foregathered in the reporters’ room to farewell “Little Mac,” as he was affectionately termed by the senior members of the staff. The esteem in which Private McLauchlan was held was evident from the sincerity of the tributes which were paid to the able services he had rendered the staff, and the pride which was taken in his patriotic action in responding to the call of his country in her hour of need. The next scene was at the Gisborne wharf, where sincere good-byes were exchanged, and “Kia Ora” was shouted again and again as the journalist in khaki sailed off for Awapuni Camp to fit himself for the serious business of war. That was the last the majority of Gisborne people ever saw of “Little Mac.” Unlike subsequent Reinforcements, the members of the Main Expeditionary Force got no chance of final leave to farewell their friends. Private McLauchlan took up the work of soldiering with the same enthusiasm and thoroughness which he had thrown into his profession, and photographs he forwarded from time to time proved conclusively that the strenuous training had changed the boy into a man.

Brightly written accounts of life in camp came to this journal from time to time from Private McLauchlan’s pen, and these showed that he had the true journalistic gift of conveying to his readers the life and color of the stirring scenes of which he wrote. Graphic accounts of the departure of the Main Expeditionary Force from Wellington, their arrival at and memorable march through Hobart, the visit to Albany, and the arrival at Cairo were all faithfully related to the readers of the “Times” by Private McLauchlan, and then came splendid pen pictures of military life in the Land of the Pharaohs, the brush with the Turks at the Suez Canal, and finally a more sober account of the trip across to the Dardanelles, and an account of the historic landing. One of these accounts which was dated 24 June 1915, was published on 2 September 1915, more than three weeks after Alec’s death. (Some extracts are included here. The full article can be found in the newspaper attachment.) ‘Dear —, — Two months now all but two days since we arrived at — and so many and varied have been our experiences that it seems more like three months since we came ashore. . . . . . . . . . At the moment of writing our Regiment is in a rest camp in a pleasant and verdant little valley, behind high hills which form the firing line. All day, and more especially at night, there is an almost incessant sound of rifle fire, and the sharp crack of bullets and the whistle of machine-gun fire sound incessantly over our valley home. . . . . . . . . . . we set out from Egypt the second week in April and embarked at Alexandria en route for the fixed rendezvous for many troops who were to gather in readiness for an onslaught on hostile shores. . . . . . . . . . We passed several islands, large and small, on our way over the sea, and finally we came to our rendezvous on a picturesque and cultivated little island, off which there lay scores of transports from many ports, and great grey fighting ships, . . . . . . . . . . At any rate after a stay of some ten days we took leave of this island, in company with other transports at 5.30 a.m. on a certain Sunday morning. It was not very long until we could hear the full rumble of big guns firing and the sound became more distinct as we proceeded. . . . . . . . . . Since then we, too, have gone ashore “somewhere,” and as you know by this time, have tasted of war. The bullets were singing as we came ashore, but all of us save two — that is of our company — got safely to terra firma. . . . . . . . . . . We were babies at war, but it was not long before we were as matured men at the game. . . . . . . . . . . . “All the day,” I have noted down, “we were under heavy fire from both machine guns and snipers, and during the advance we got somewhat separated, although everybody found himself at some point or other in the newly-established line and we were entrenched before very long. . . . . . . . . . .’

‘It seems hard to believe that the young friend and comrade who left us less than a year ago full of lusty life has been cut off in his prime. A promising young journalist has been lost to New Zealand; a true friend has gone to that bourne from which no traveller returns, but his memory, and that of those who died with him, will live for ever, and cause the name of New Zealand to shine; illustriously on the pages of history for all time. In Tennyson’s words, these New Zealand heroes of the Dardanelles can say: -

“I have fought for King and Country

Like a valiant man and true.

I have only done my duty

As a man is bound to do.”

Peace to your ashes, “Little Mac”. May you rest peacefully, lulled by the lapping of the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea. It does not fall to every man born of woman to die as noble a death.’

In a letter printed in the Gisborne Times of 19 August 1915, another staff member wrote – ‘I think I told you in my short letter from Lemnos that I had seen a good deal of “Little Mac” (Private A. R. McLauchlan) round the camp at Zeitoun, but since our landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula I have strangely enough seen him more often than before, I had the good fortune to be allowed to land with our company on the morning of the fateful 25th of April, . . . . . . . . . . . I was attached to a cable section, and in this way got well up amongst the excitement, just at the foot of the hills which have been the scenes of some of the most violent fighting round Sari Bair, . . . . . . . . . . . We have now been in this position for just over eight weeks, apparently awaiting developments, and of course by this time we have got quite accustomed to our little dug-out homes. Mac and George Everiss frequently visit us here, being only a few hundred yards from their trenches. Occasionally we take a trip up to them on a return visit, but this being my day “at home,” and only two visitors (Mac and “Piper” Fyson), I have settled down to attempt to clear up a hit of my correspondence. Mac brought several copies of the “Gisborne Times” with him, which were greatly appreciated, as they keep us in touch with the old town and give us fresh topics for conversation. . . . . . . . . . . I read your letter to Mac and was more than interested. . . . . . . . . . . .’ A letter received in Gisborne from another soldier at the front and printed on 5 October 1915, read in part – ‘Alex. McLauchlan (“Little Mac,” of the Gisborne “Times” staff) was pretty badly wounded through the face, and when I saw him the following day going down on the stretchers he looked pretty crook. It is a frightful country for the Red Cross to work in, as all the fighting is done on great hills and Turkish snipers abound in hundreds and a fellow never knows when he is going to stop one.’

Alexander’s medals – 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory Medal - were sent to his mother, the plaque and scroll to his father, who had moved firstly to High Street and by 1921 to Stafford Street. In the short form of Will attached to his Personnel File and dated 11 May 1915, he gives to his mother all his possessions. And in December 1915 she was granted his War Pension of £26 per annum. Alec’s (Alick) parents, sisters and brothers remembered him in subsequent years – “He gave his life for his country. He like a soldier fell.” (1916). Mrs McLauchlan died in 1930 and Mr Hugh McLauchlan died in May 1935. He had come from Scotland to New Zealand in 1881 and worked on the erection of the first railway station at Timaru.

Gisborne had become Alex’s home prior to the war and he had made many friends. It is said that throughout his time with the forces, he sent back graphic accounts to the “Gisborne Times”. At the annual meeting of the Gisborne Rowing Club on 14 September 1915, Alexander was named in a lengthy list of members who had volunteered for active service. His name was also recorded on the roll of honour of New Zealand journalists who had enlisted and been accepted for service up to December 11, 1915. While a good number had been wounded or invalided, Private A. R. McLauchlan and six others had lost their lives. There were several Dunedin lads killed at the same time as Alexander. In the present Allied Press building in Dunedin, the Roll of Honour for Otago Daily Times and Otago Witness staff who fought in the Great War is still on display, along with a plaque acknowledging Evening Star staff who served in the war. Inscribed on the plaque under Supreme Sacrifice are the names of A. McLauchlan and five others – “Lest We Forget”. A. E. McLaughlan, inscribed on the Gisborne World War One Memorial is surely Alexander Robertson McLauchlan. His name is inscribed on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial, at the Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. At the Dunedin Burns Club gathering in mid-September 1915, the chairman referred to the death at the Dardanelles, on August 6, of Private A. R. M’Laughlan [sic], an old member of the club. Later in the month, at the annual general meeting of the United Cricket Club (Gisborne), the Chairman referred to the number of members of the Club who had enlisted for the front, stating that the Club was proud of its record in this respect, and noting that one member, Private A. R. McLauchlan, had laid down his life for King and Country at Gallipoli.

Three brothers of Alexander - James Edward, Hugh Murray and William John - also enlisted for World War I, after Alexander had been killed; all three survived, James living to 93 years and William following the same profession as Alec. The portrait of Private Alex R. McLauchlan, from the Auckland Weekly News 1915, is attached to the Cenotaph Database. A photograph was also printed in the Evening Star of 28 September 1915 (‘killed’); one in the Otago Witness of 8 September 1915 (‘wounded’). And one in Onward, Vol. 4.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [29 November 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5544 0075042) [14 March 2014]; CWGC [31 January 2014]; Evening Star, 20 December 1900, 20 November 1907, 23 June 1909, 26 August 1910, 3 September 1914, 27 & 28 August 1915, 15 January 1916, 12 August 1916, 7 August 1926, 8 May 1935, Otago Daily Times, 20 December 1900, 22 December 1904, 24 August 1907, 21 November 1907, 27 March 1908, 15 April 1910, 27 June 1910, 22 & 29 August 1910, 28 & 30 August 1915, 16 September 1915, 9 August 1916, Otago Witness, 27 November 1907, 4 May 1910, 1 June 1910, 1 September 1915, 8 September 1915 [x 2], 9 August 1916, 15 August 1917, Poverty Bay Herald, 2 December 1912, 26 February 1913, 31 March 1913, 11 April 1913, 20 October 1913, 15 November 1913, 31 December 1913, 19 August 1914, 27 August 1915, 14 September 1915, Gisborne Times, 18 & 20 August 1914, 5 July 1915, 19 August 1915, 28 August 1915 [x 2], 2, 16 & 21 September 1915, 5 October 1915, 5 December 1917, Evening Post, 7 September 1914, Timaru Herald, 24 July 1915, 28 August 1915, Sun, 28 August 1915, New Zealand Herald, 28 August 1915, Press, 28 August 1915 [x 2], Hastings Standard, 31 August 1915 (Papers Past) [21 & 22 December 2013; 02 February 2014; 18 May 2015, 09 July 2016; 29 March 2017; 01 June 2019; 17 November 2019; 12 & 31 January 2020; 01 & 05 February 2020; 19, 20 & 21 November 2024]; School Admission record (Dunedin Branch NZSG) [2013]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [2013]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [18 May 2015]; “Murray Family” by Regina McLachlan (ancestry.com.au) [29 November 2013]; family account contributed by Regina McLachlan [21 May 2015]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file
• Other military personnel file

Related Documents

• McLAUCHLAN Alexander Robertson - newspaper clippings (pdf, 130.1 KB updated 05-Dec-2024)
• Photo - McLAUCHLAN Alex R - with inscription (pdf, 86.3 KB updated 05-Dec-2024)

Researched and Written by

Currently Assigned to

TS