Wound stripe : Second Lieutenant A McDermid, 3 Battalion AIF

Brass wound stripe with backing plate. Impressed into the backing plate is: 'NO 4 THE EMPIRE WOUNDED STRIPE PROV PAT'.

Associated with the service of Albert George McDermid. McDermid was born in Sydney on 9 November 1893 and was an engineer on enlistment in E Company, 3 Battalion AIF on 18 August 1914. He embarked for overseas service with the rank of colour sergeant aboard HMAT Euripides on 20 October.

Appointed quarter master sergeant on 1 January 1915, McDermid was admitted to the Military Hospital at Imtarfa, Malta on 1 April suffering venereal disease. He was not discharged until 9 May. In his absence 3 Battalion landed at Gallipoli on 25 April as part of the second and third waves. He rejoined his unit on the Peninsula after his discharge.

Appointed 2nd lieutenant on 12 June, McDermid was wounded at Lone Pine on 6 August. He was admitted to 19 General Hospital, Alexandria on 10 August suffering a bullet wound to his left leg. Embarking for England aboard Hospital Ship Letitia on 3 September, he was admitted to 3 General Hospital, London on arrival. Promoted lieutenant on 28 January 1916, McDermid was passed fit for general service at Base Depot, Weymouth on 19 February and embarked from England on 25 March to rejoin 3 Battalion. Arriving in Egypt in April he was taken on strength by 1 Training Battalion.

McDermid embarked for the Western Front on 9 May aboard HMT Calendonia. He arrived at Marseilles on 17 May and rejoined 3 Battalion in the field on 3 June. Promoted captain on 1 December, McDermid transferred to Australia's newly formed Sixth Division on 25 May 1917. He returned to England and was taken on strength by 63 Battalion on 27 May.

Rejoining 3 Battalion in the field on 14 November, McDermid was recommended for a Military Cross on 31 August 1918 for leadership in an attack near Proyart on 23 August. This award was not approved.

Proceeding to England on 10 October on 1914 leave, McDermid embarked for Australia aboard HMT Karmala on 2 January 1919. Disembarking in Melbourne on 17 February his appointment in the AIF was terminated in Sydney on 8 March 1919



During the Second World War McDermid enlisted in the RAAF on 9 February 1943. With the rank of aircraftman he was posted to 2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown on 16 March. He was posted to the School of Administration, Carlton on 19 July where he began No. 36 Administration and Special Duties Course. On completion of this course McDermid was posted to 3 Initial Training School, Ultimo on 14 September with the rank of pilot officer.

Promoted to flying officer on 11 March 1944, McDermid was posted to 4 Communications Unit, Archerfield on 3 January 1945. He remained with this unit as adjutant until the end of the war. He was discharged in Sydney on demobilisation on 15 October.