Lt Col David McFie McConaghy CMG DSO, 54th Battalion

Accession Number AWM2018.565.3.1
Collection type Photograph
Object type Print
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Informal outdoor portrait of Lieutenant Colonel David McFie McConaghy CMG DSO (standing on right). Officer on the left is possibly Brigadier General Clarence John Hobkirk CMG DSO, 14th Australian Infantry Brigade.
David McConaghy was born on 5 April 1887 at Cootamundra, NSW, and later moved to Sydney where he became an accountant before enlisting for service in the AIF with the rank of Captain. As a member of the 3rd Battalion, he took part in the landing at Gallipoli and later in the Lone Pine operations. On return to Egypt, McConaghy was promoted to the rank of Major and appointed Commanding Officer of the 55th Battalion which he led in France at the Battle of Fromelles in 1916. He subsequently commanded the 54th Battalion in 1917-1918 and 14th Brigade (temporarily) in 1916-1917 and 1918. He died of wounds on 9 April 1918. He is buried in France at 185 Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery
Annotation on the reverse reads " To Belle, From Ma[illegible] and Maude, Wishing you a peaceful Xmas"

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