| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL47487 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Maker |
Royal Arsenal Woolwich |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London, Greenwich, Woolwich |
| Date made | c 1922 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Next of kin plaque: Private Lachlan Charles Lord Macpherson, 18th Battalion, AIF
Description
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'LACHLAN CHARLES LORD MACPHERSON'. A checker's mark, '98' is impressed between the lion's rear left paw and tail.
History / Summary
Bronze next of kin plaque issued to the parents of Lachlan Charles Lord 'Lachie' Macpherson, born Condobolin, NSW in May 1899 (the youngest of four brothers). He was employed as a bank officer in Wollongong when he enlisted on 11 July 1917, aged 18. Because of his age, he required his parents to sign his application. After initial training he was posted a private, service number 7017, to the 21st Reinforcements to 18th Battalion. He sailed from Sydney on 19 December, aboard HMAT A38 Ulysses.
After short stops in Egypt and at Taranto in Italy, Macpherson arrived in England on 13 February 1918. He undertook further training at Fovant before joining his battalion in France at Ville-sur-Ancre on 12 May. Macpherson was killed in action on 29 August while 18th Battalion were trying to cross the River Somme at Ommiecourt-les-Clery in the lead up to the capture of Peronne and Mont St Quentin. He is buried in the Herbecourt British Cemetery.
This commemorative plaque was delivered to his parents in January 1923.
Macpherson's three brothers also served in the war: Second Lieutenant Ewen Fergus Lord Macpherson served as a driver with 1st Field company Engineers, AIF before transferring to the Royal Filed Artillery, where he was commissioned. He was killed near Mouquet Farm, France, on 10 August 1916; Lieutenant John Machattie Lord Macpherson served with 20th Battalion and 5th Machine Gun Company, AIF, before transferring to the Royal Field Artillery where he was awarded a Military Cross and French Croix de Guerre; and Sergeant Randolf George Macpherson served with 7th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF.