McPHERSON, Donald and Martin

Donald and Martin were the sons of Alexander and Elizabeth McPherson of Yetman NSW. They were all living and working in the Yetman district before the War. Their twenty one year old brother Alexander enlisted in April 1915 and served at Gallipoli.

Martin was the next to enlist. He was eighteen when he joined up at Liverpool NSW in June 1915 and became a member of the 1st Battalion, 8th Reinforcement. He left Australia on HMAT A54 Runic in August and after arriving in Egypt was sent to Gallipoli where he was wounded and admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station at Mudros.

During February 1916 Martin was transferred to the 53rd Battalion and sent to France. Here he was transferred to the 13 Field Artillery in July. Four months later he was gassed and sent to England where he was admitted to Suffolk Military Hospital for treatment. He returned to France in July 1918 and was gassed again the day after going to the front. Martin returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged two months later. He died at Randwick NSW in 1945.

Donald, the eldest in the family, was a twenty four year old single man when he enlisted in January 1916 at Warwick Qld. He had previously tried to enlist in NSW in 1915 but was discharged.

He became a member of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, 16th Reinforcement and left Australia for Egypt on HMAT A47 Mashobra in April 1916. He was transferred to the 4th Camel Regiment for a month in November, then moved to the 17th Camel Regiment for three months before returning to the 4th Camel Regiment. He was appointed Driver in October 1918. Donald returned to Australia from Suez in March 1919. His death was registered at Toowoomba Qld in 1985.

The three McPherson boys have their names inscribed on the Yetman Honor Roll.