12 Machine Gun Company A.I.F

[Anzac16]

Some days ago i go this kit-bag from William Malcolm White of the 8/12 Machine Gun Company A.I.F.

I got his Embarkation Roll http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/nomi...son.asp?p=67463

But now i want to find out where he was in France and where is the 8/ stands for? is it the group?

And to wich battalion it was added?

[frev]

Hi Anzac16

The 8/ stands for 8th Reinforcements (to the 12th MG Coy)

You'll find his Service Record here: http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.as...mp;I=1&SE=1

And the 12th MG Coy War Diaries here: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/war_diari...asp?levelID=917

Cheers, Frev

[deanstalton]

Hi Anzac16

This is interesting his really name was Wm Malcolm Mcgregor

Wonder why he Lied?

Dean

[Anzac16]

Wow thats quick

many thankx

[Anzac16]

Hi Anzac16

This is interesting his really name was Wm Malcolm Mcgregor

Wonder why he Lied?

Dean

Yeah thats a good question

[deanstalton]

He joined 5th august 1916 as William malcolm White

then on the 16th August 1918 Changes to Wm Malcolm Mcgregor.

I wonder if he was under age or something else maybe?

Just found this The AIF Project

Dean

[Anzac16]

Mmmm its getting very interesting.

Is ther a way to find out about were William whas, if he has been on the front or not?

[Anzac16]

And it would be very nice if the man gets a face

[frev]

William Malcolm McGREGOR was born in Brisbane, Qld (not Collingwood, Vic as stated) on the 8th August 1896 (not c1894) – the son of Alexander Robert McGREGOR & Williamina (nee WHYTE).

In other words he had actually just turned 20 when he enlisted – not 22 as stated

He had previously enlisted in the RAN (Navy) in the Feb of 1915 (for a period of 5 years)

He filled out his attestation sheet in the AIF on the 25/8/16, and his record in the RAN shows he was supposedly with Encounter until 29/8/16 – no mention of desertion, simply mentions in the notes that he’d joined the AIF.

One possibility: he did skip from the Navy, signed up in the AIF under (a version) of his mother’s maiden name – then had second thoughts & informed the Navy, but left his AIF name as was (until 1918) – interesting that he signed the Stat Dec to correct his name 2 days after returning from leave in the UK. [Thought he may have married – have come across a few who suddenly declared their real names on marriage – but couldn’t find any record of this]

William was in France from 30/5/17 – until hospitalized 5/1/18 – returning to his unit 7/5/18 – until the end of the war (except for UK leave 27/7/18 – 14/8/18) – so if you check the War Diary during these periods, you should be able to work out where he was & what his Unit were involved in.

Cheers, Frev

[Anzac16]

Wow ferv this is great!!!!!

Thank you very much.