Letters from Robert Mactier VC to his sister Belle Crawford and other papers, c.1912-c.1962 - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2020.22.113
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 10

Robert Macker IC. 175 1890 - 1-9- 1918. Rabert Mackier was born at Satwaa Victoria in May 17th 1890. He was the sanr of Robert and Christina Mactier of Keileam Satura, and the second son of a close knot family of ten hobert was educated at Sature children and after complesing his educasion workedion his fathers farms at Satura and baniamso. He excelled at poorball and shooting. Ile is remembered as a well mannered youn man withan irrepressible sense of humour. Hob inlisted at Seymour on March 1st 1917 and was pasted to the ard ballelion de left Australia with other reinforcements for that unit on May 11th 197, disembarking in England prior relanding in France on November 14th and pinally faiing up with his unit or November 23rd 1917 Ile remained with them until his death tas ken a year later Dob was very popeler within his unit and was made a scout for the teadqusiters of his company in May 1918. Robers mackier wan res Victona bross on September 1st 1918 for most conspicuous bravery and devasion & duly the during she famousattack by the Australians on Mont S Genden The summit of Mont St Quentinn was vital
to the success of eister ade end she austrelis were apposed by the elite of she Cerman army. She Drd Prussian Guards Dursias wilh th renowned Dawer Augusta and Maiser Alexandra legments To strongly held was the Lt Quentur poation shat when Lord Nawlinson knew of the Australian proposal so a stack it he said to General Manrash on Aug 30th And so you think you are going so sake Mont Ss Quentinn with siee baltaliens. What presumption! However I don't shink I ought to stop you So go ahead & try- and I wish you luck. On Sept 1st 1918 six Victoria Crosses were wan by the Austreliss diggers and their officers. Frior to the advance of the bastalion is was necessary so clear up several enemy strang anto close to the Aushalian line. Thro she bambing patrels sent forward failed to effect and the bettelion wisunable to meve. Mactiers action, which he cauld hardly have expected to survive, occurred during the 25 Fallations astempt so mive into poution for the early morning assault on mont Sd Quensin, which later had to be temporarily abandoned until st Quentin had been softened up by artillery. The company involved was led by dieut. E. p Jenkins, who had the last of leading she 23rd from a position known as Florina Trench to the gumping off positionsin Getleeb and Save Trenches, Jenkins
Capy Recommendation The 13 September 1918 Auetralian On the norning of 1st September the operations 6t Aust entailing the capsure of nont st Quenten this Infantry men stends out for the greatest bravery and Ficborea devotion to duty 15 mins before you a bombing bross patrols were sent to clear up several enery 23 Anstrongp t pest close to our line but they were A.1.F. met with very strong stubbern resistance & no success and the biltalion wss mable to nove on its Jumping off Trench 699 Mackier unglehanded and in daylight She Rberl then pemped out of the trench from the seader Macker Compony rushed past the block, closd with the block and killed the machine gun garrisa of 8 men with his revelver and bombs and three the Herevek mneny nachme gun over the parspet. He 19.9.18 rushed forward another 2o yords and pumped into another strong past held by a garrison of 6 men who immediately surrended. Continuing Sased to the next block through the trench an eneny 13:9:18 gren which had been enfilading our slank Bregade advencing troops was suring into him but he pumped out of the tenchs into the open disposd Dursion of this third past and guar oswe by bonbing them pont 9:18 the rear. before he could get into his trenchs he was killed by enemy mackine purs at close range. In the three
found, by sending suta patrol under st & Warren, Ihas is should be posable to make a desour would have meant the unit bein late to pump off she only other alternative was so use the direct rouse, hoping that it would be possible to The 23rd clear a way as he progressed. therefore pemped out in single file after being relieved in Llouna vench ccommenced to cross the Teronne Ed, which out the noithern end of Ttouna trench then back into the trench. to seener had the advance bee resuned aftercrasing the read than the fighting pasiol at the read of the column encountered an enemy mackine gun behind a barbed were barricade to similear posts could be seen further on. The advance halted Doporal N. Finlay in charge of the leaders, organised an abtack on the sat slim poasion, but was immediately killed. Meanwhill while the column helled fankinssent a nser foeward so investite Thisrunner was Irivate Macheer Will armed with a revelver and bombs. Linglehanded and in daylight, he pmped out of the Australian French, closed with and killed an enemy mackine gun garrison of eight men withrevelver and bambs, and shrew the enemy gun over the parapet. After that he ran forward another 30 yards, and captured a paint held by six men, and finally disposed of another enemy machure gun post by bonts before he himself was
killed. Surely an amazing fear Then there was Tergeant Rowerson of the 21st Bastation, who gallantly led his men under heavy fore; and boyoral Hall of the 51th Rattalion, who followed up a servs of brave deeds by carrying a dangerously wounded comrade through a heavy barrage. And shere was Lieusent Towner, of the d mackine sun Bettalion with a whote serces of gallandactions on thesday, and Inwvate Currey, who rushed a mackine gun and adewis guns- amorgother things. And shere were other deeds great deeds in plenty Mactiers feat has been officially described as standing out for the greatest bravery and devolion to duty. rebert mactier died enemplifying as never before the Derd milto Foxwie UAtETERRED His name is conmemorated by the Army in a coldiers club at Hassenia Berecks - knowwas she Maclier Club. The blub was officially spened by the minister for the Army in day 1960 and included a plaque to macters memory.
posts that Mactier ruched 15 of the enemy were found killed & 30 siken prisoner Id was entirely due to the man's exceptional braveryand determination that the kistalion was able to mave on to signed Charles its pumping Off French and carry out the Resenthal successful operation of capturing the village of mons Ss Quentirr a few rours meper later Seneral Commending Secnd Aust. Sev
28rd Battalion France 11/12/18 By Dear Dr Dactier Will you permit me on behalf of all officers, nc0s & men of this Battalion to offer our sincere sympathy & sorrow in the loss you have sustained by the death of your very gallant son I. have refrained from writing you before until I knew definitely as to whether the Victoria Cross had been awarded him for
award is one of the most outstanding 1c feats of the war. Will you and your family accept our keen regret in his death, & the sincere hope that time the great nealer will temper the sad loss you have sustained. Yours very sincerely T Bray Enon Lt. Col Eag 23rd Pn his great bravery at Ht. St. Quentin I learnt of the award yesterday & enclose herewith a copy of the recommendation which speak for itself. The Battalion is intensely proud of your son, alwayt popular, he is the oule recipient in this Battalion & the pity is that he is not here to receive it. He was indeed a son & soldier to be proced of I consider that the deed which gained him the
M Private Robert actier Sepnbe 10 1918 Mr agd Mcs R. Mactior and family aco deoply scateful far your kind expcessions of werpalhy on the death of their beloved 800 and beother Roiloan Vatura

Robert Mactier V.C. 17-5-1890 — 1-9-1918.

Robert Mactier was born at Tatura Victoria on

May 17th 1890. He was the son of Robert and

Christina Mactier of "Reitcam" Tatura, and

the second son of a close knit family of ten

children. Robert was educated at Tatura 

and after completing his education worked on

his fathers farms at Tatura and Caniambo.

He excelled at football and shooting. He

is remembered as a well mannered young man

with an irrepressible sense of humour.

Bob enlisted at Seymour on March 1st 1917

and was posted to the 23rd battalion. He left

Australia with other re-inforcements for

that unit on May 11th 1917, disembarking in

England prior to landing in France on

November 14th and finally joining up with his

unit on November 23rd 1917. He remained

with them until his death less than a year

later. Bob was very popular within his

unit and was made a scout for the headquarters

of his company on May 1918. Robert Mactier won

his Victoria Cross on September 1st 1918 for most

conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty the

during the famous attack by the Australians on

Mont St Quentin. The summit of Mont St Quentin was vital

 

to the success of either side and the Australians

were opposed by the elite of the German army.

The 2nd Prussian Guards Division with the

renowned Kaiser Augusta and Kaiser Alexandra

Regiments. So strongly held was the St Quentin

position that when Lord Rawlinson knew of the

Australian proposal to attack it he said to General

Monash on Aug 30th "And so you think you

are going to take Mont St Quentin with three

battalions. What presumption! However

I don't think I ought to to stop you! So go ahead &

try – and I wish you luck. On Sept 1st 1918

six Victoria Crosses were won by the Australian

"diggers" and their officers. Prior to the advance

of the battalion it was necessary to clear up

several enemy strongpoints close to the Australian

line. This the bombing patrols sent forward failed

to effect and the battalion was unable to move.

Mactiers action, which he could hardly have

expected to survive, occurred during the 23rd

Battalion's attempt to move into position for the

early morning assault on Mont St Quentin, which

later had to be temporarily abandoned until St

Quentin had been softened up by artillery. The

company involved was led by Lieut. F. J. Jenkins, who

had the task of leading the 23rd from a position

known as Florina Trench so the jumping-off

positions in Gostlieb and Lave Trenches, Jenkins

 

Copy

The Recommendation.

Australian 13 September 1918.

[*6th Aust

Infantry*]

On the morning of 1st September the operations

entailing the capture of Mont St Quentin this

man stands out for the greatest bravery and Victoria

devotion to duty. 15 mins before zero 2 bombing Cross

patrols were sent to clear up several enemy

[*23rd Btn

A.I.F.*}

strong xxxxx posts close to our line but they were

met with very strong stubborn resistance & no

success and the battalion was unable to move

on its Jumping Off Trench.

[*6939

Pte Robert

Mactier*]

Mactier singlehanded and in daylight

then jumped out of the trench from the leading

Company rushed past the block, closed with the

block and killed the machine gun garrison of 8

men with his revolver and bombs and threw the

[*Recieved

19.9.18*]

enemy machine gun over the parapet. He

rushed forward another 20 yards and jumped

into another strong post held by a garrison of 6

[*Passed

13.9.18*]

men who immediately surrended. Continuing

to the next block through the trench an enemy

gun which had been enfilading our flank

[*Brigade

Division

9-18.*]

advancing troops was swung into him but he

jumped out of the trench into the open & disposed

of this third post and gun crew by bombing them from

the rear. Before he could get into his trench he was killed

by enemy machine gun at close range. In the three

[*sgd.  J. C. Robertson

Brigadier General

Commanding 6th Aust Infantry Brigade*]

 

found, by sending out a patrol under Sgt. G.

Warren, that it should be possible to make a

detour would have meant the unit being late to

jump-off, the only other alternative was to use the

direct route, hoping that it would be possible to

clear a way as he progressed. The 23rd

therefore jumped out in single file after being

relieved in Florina trench, & commenced to

cross the Peronne Rd, which cut the northern

end of Florina trench – then back into the

trench. No sooner had the advance been resumed

after crossing the road than the fighting patrol at the

head of the column encountered an enemy machine

gun behind a barbed-wire barricade. Two similiar

posts could be seen further on. The advance halted

Corporal R. Finlay in charge of the leaders, organised

an attack on the first column position, but was

immediately killed. Meanwhile while the column

halted Jenkins sent a runner forward to investigate. 

This runner was Private Mactier. Well armed with a

revolver and bombs. Singlehanded and in daylight,

he jumped out of the Australian trench, closed with

and killed an enemy machine gun garrison of eight

men with revolver and bombs, and threw the enemy

gun over the parapet. After that he ran forward

another 30 yards, and captured a point held by

six men, and finally disposed of another enemy

machine gun post by bombs before he himself was

 

killed. Surely an amazing feat. Then there

was Sergeant Lowerson of the 21st Battalion, who

gallantly led his men under heavy fire; and Corporal

Hall of the 54th Battalion, who followed up a series of

brave deeds by carrying a dangerously wounded

comrade through a heavy barrage. And there was

 Lieutent Towner, of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion

with a whole series of gallant actions on that day;

and Private Currey, who rushed a machine gun

and a Lewis gun – among other things. And there

were other deeds great deeds in plenty. Mactiers

feat has been officially described as standing out

for the greatest bravery and devotion to duty.

Robert Mactier died exemplifying as never

before the 23rd motto  FORWARD UNDETERRED.

His name is commemorated by the Army in a 

soldiers club at Watsonia Barracks – Known as

the Mactier Club. The Club was officially

opened by the Minister for the Army in May 1960

and included a plaque to Mactiers memory.

 

posts that Mactier rushed 15 of the enemy were

found killed & 30 taken prisoner.

It was entirely due to this mans

exceptional bravery and determination

that the Battalion was able to move on to

its Jumping Off Trench and carry out the

successful operation of capturing the

village of Mont St. Quentin a few hours

later

[*signed

Charles

Rosenthal

Major General

Commanding

Second Aust.

Div.*]

 

PRIVATE "MAC."

"He was only one of the Boys," as the

song says. Not an old soldier, as length

of service counts, but he died as only a

hero can die, and the thoughts of his

valour will remain when Time has effaced

most other records from the tablet

of battalion memories.

The above reference is to Private R.

Mactier. of B Coy, and following is the

story of his sacrifice for duty's sake:–

Doing important work as a scout in the

line during a most anxious period, at the

instigation of his officer, Lieut. Jenkins

he went forward to ascertain the cause

of the battalion being held up. He soon

discovered it in the shape of a nest

of Hun machine gun positions. The first

of these he attacked with bombs, eventually

throwing the gun over the parapet.

Immediately on accomplishment of

this feat a second post became his objective.

He soon accounted for this, and

six Germans were forced to surrender.

Another obstacle remained as a bar to

progress, and gallantly Mac rushed this

hornet's nest, giving his best in the

third of a sequence of almost unparalleled

deeds.

Apart from soldiering, Mac, who hailed

from Tatura, was liked for his cheerful

and obliging disposition. He was recognised

as the most uncomplaining

"digger" in the Coy., and whether the

job was pleasant or painful, with a smile

he did it. As a footballer in our premier

team he took a prominent part in the

sport of the battalion. In short "a Soldier

and a Man."

                             

The following officers are at present

on leave:– Lieut-Col. Brazenor, Capts.

Farrell, Clues, Martin, Lieuts. Maddress,

Elliott, Hume, Bragg, P. J. Smith and

Dixon.

 

[*PR83/310

Australian

War Memorial*]

23rd Battalion

France.

11/12/18.

My Dear Mr Mactier,

Will you permit me on

behalf of all officers, n.c.o's

& men of this Battalion to

offer our sincere sympathy

& sorrow in the loss you

have sustained by the death

of your very gallant son.

I have refrained from

writing you before until I

knew definitely as to

whether the Victoria Cross

had been awarded him for

 

3.

award is one of the most

outstanding V.C. feats of

the war.

Will you and your family

accept our keen regret

in his death & the

sincere hope that time

the great healer will

temper the sad loss you

have sustained.

Yours very sincerely

W BrazEnor

Lt. Col.

Cdg 23rd Bn.

2.

his great bravery at Mt. St.

Quentin. I learnt of the

award yesterday & enclose

herewith a copy of the

recommendation which speaks

for itself.

The Battalion is intensely

proud of your son, always

popular, he is the only V.C.

recipient in this Battalion,

& the pity is that he is

not here to receive it.

He was indeed a son

& soldier to be proud of &

I consider that the deed

which gained him the

 

Mactier

"He rose responsive

to his Country's call."

"To live in hearts

we leave behind is

not to die."

23RD BATTALION

Private Robert Mactier

Killed in Action in France, September 1st, 1918

Mr and Mrs R. Mactier and family are

deeply grateful for your kind expressions

of sympathy on the death of their beloved

son and brother.

"Reitcam," Tatura.

 

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