Mactier, Robert VC (Private, b.1890 - d.1918)

Places
Accession Number 2DRL/0144
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type Letter, Document
Maker Mactier, Robert
Place made Australia
Date made 1917-1918
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM93 12/11/1538
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Description

Collection relating to the First World War service of 6939 Private Robert Mactier, VC, England, Belgium, and France, 1917-1918, 23 Battalion.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Extracts from letters relating to the First World War service of 6939 Private Robert Mactier VC, England, Belgium, and France, 1917-1918, 23 Battalion.

The collection consists of typewritten extracts from the letters of Private Mactier written between May 1917 and August 1918. The extracts cover Mactier’s voyage aboard the HMAT “Ascanius”, his training at the Rollestone and Fovant camps at Salisbury Plain, and his time in France and Belgium. Mactier mentions their quarantining in camp at Rollestone due to 83 cases of mumps aboard the “Ascanius”, the state of rationing in Britain, a review of the 6th Training Battalion by the Duke of Connaught, Prince Arthur, and discusses a number of concert parties which he attended. In Belgium and France the extracts cover his daily activities in the 23rd Battalion, meeting General William Birdwood, his experience with American troops attached to the 23rd Battalion, his hopes to visit Paris on leave, and his "promotion” to company runner.

On 1 September 1918, during the advance on Mont St Quentin, Mactier was killed in action by enemy fire.