Ernest Edward McClelland

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 20/10/2017 - 11:37

First Name:

Ernest

Middle Name:

Edward

Last Name:

McClelland

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, March 10, 1880

Mother's Name:

Margaret McClelland nee Henry

Father's Name:

Edward McClelland

Date Enlisted:

Friday, August 28, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Corporal

Unit:

9th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, November 2, 1940

Place of Death:

Griffith Hospital, NSW

Details:

Ernest McClelland (Service no 344) was born in Kiama, NSW.

Ernest served with the 3rd NSW Bushman's Contingent - 2nd Contingent in South Africa and returned home as a Lance Corporal in 1902.

At the time of enlistment Ernest was single, 34 years of age, employed as a clerk and resided in Gerringong, NSW.

He embarked on HMAT A5 - Omrah from Brisbane, Queensland with the 9th Battalion, C Company on 24 September 1914. In Egypt a decision was made to use the 3rd Brigade as the first troops ashore on 25th April 1914 at Gallipoli, Turkey. The 9th Battalion was part of the Brigade and Ernest landed in either the first or second wave of troops. At some point on 25th April 1915, Ernest was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a bullet wound to his arm.

Ernedt returned to the 9th Battalion, C Company at Gallipoli, Turkey on 13 October 1915 and remained until the end of the campaign.

On 4 December 1915, Ernest was promoted to Lance Corporal. On 27 February 1916, he was transferred to 49th Battalion and served with them on the Western Front. Ernest arrived in France on 12 June 1916 and was wounded a second time at Mouquet Farm, France during the Battle of the Somme, on 3 September 1916. He was evacuated to hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his leg and arm.

Ernest was promoted to Corporal on 29 November 1917. He returned to Australia in September 1918 for special 1914 leave and was discharged on 26 January 1919.

On 18th June 1920 he married Jessie Henry and together they had one child. Ernest became a farmer in Yenda, NSW after the War and died in Griffith Hospital after a short illness in 1940.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, MCCLELLAND E E