Victorian Naval Forces Muster | for the Colony of Victoria. (muster range 1853-1910)*
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Profile| Last Name: | McPherson | | First Name: | Duncan | | Rank: | Able Seaman | | Birth Date: | 31-01-1862 | | Branch: | Naval Brigade - Sandridge (Pt. Melb) | | Duncan McPherson
Able Seaman
AWM neg P08234.001
AB McPherson embarked on SS Salamis on 30 July 1900 and returned to Australia in 25 April 1901 on board SS Chingtu. He later worked as a labourer and stevedore before enlisting in the First World War. According to family stories, when he enlisted he put his age down from 55 to 42, dyed his hair with boot polish, and named the fourth of his seven children as his eldest. Pte McPherson embarked with the 14th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion, from Sydney on HMAT Ballarat on 16 December 1915. Pte McPherson transferred to the 54th Battalion and was later killed in action at Fromelles, France, on 19 July 1916. His actual age at the time of his death was 56 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles.
Source of above and profile and second photo at the Australian War Memorial website
Profile in The Australian Illustrated Encyclopaedia of The Boxer Uprising 1899-1901, Justin Corfield, Slouch Hat Publications, McCrae Australia, 2001. |
* 1853 is given as the commencement date for the Victorian Navy as this is the year that Commander Lockyer (RN) went to Britain to superintend the building of HMCS Victoria.
Although the Victorian Navy ended in 1901 the career of Cerbeus etc continued. In 1910 the new ships started arriving & manning levels increased.
Information & photographs of men who served in the Victorian Naval Forces is eagerly sought. Please contact the webmaster.P0WERED by: DaDaBIK
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