Letters from Robert Mactier VC to his sister Belle Crawford and other papers, c.1912-c.1962 - Part 2

Looking Back

On such a day as this, though, it is fitting

 that John Citizen "think back"

a few years, to that September 1, 1918,

when the A.I.F. performed what has been

described as one of the finest feats of the

Great War in reaching the crest of Mont St 
Quentin.

It was one of the 
greatest days in the 
history of our

Diggers when Major-
General Sir Charles 
Rosenthal's men led 

the attack, and the

Sixth Brigade reached

the crest and went

for beyond it today - 

seven years ago. The

Australians were opposed

then by the

very pick of the German

army - the

Second Prussian

Guards Division, with the renowned Kaisaria

August and Kaiser Alexandra Regiment.

Sheer Presumption

So strong was the St. Quentin position

that when Lord Rawlisson knew of

the Australians' proposal to attack it he

said to General Monash, on August 24,

"And so you think you are going to take

Mont St. Quentin with three battalions.

What preparation?  [[?]]  [[?]]   [[?]]
I ought to stop you So, go ahead and try
- and I wish you luck!"
So the Diggers went ahead with a vengeance.
The Victoria Cross
It was on September 1, 1918. I think, that
no fewer than six Victoria Crosses
were won by the diggers and their officers
- a record that ought to make every citizen
swell with pride in the achievement.

There were posthumous crosses awarded,
for instance, to Private R.  Mactier of the 

23rd Battalion, and Corporal A.H. Buckley,

of the 54th Battalion. Both of these gallant

boys on that September morning sacrificed
their lives in single-handed attacks on persons

of the enemy lines which was holding
up the advances.

Mactier's feat has been officially declared
(? as)standing out for the greatest

(? assistance) and devotion to duty
The Brave Example

SINGLE handed, 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 20
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 Lieut. 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, great deeds done in plenty.

Surpassing Daring

IT is  not surprising, is it, that when all was

over Lord Rawlinson issued an order
stating that the capture of Mont St. Quentin
was a feat of arms worthy of the highest 
praise, and that its importance could not

be over estimated?
" I am filled with admiration, " he added,
"at the gallantry and surpassing daring of

the Second Division in winning this important
fortress, and I congratulate them with
all my heart."
Communist and Digger
IT is  well that every citizen should think

again of this great feat, on this anniversary
day—compare in his heart the work
of the Diggers in 1918 with the wrecking

tactics of the Communists who today flaunt
red flags in the faces of the Australian

people and talk glibly of the "fools who
fought in the war."

supplement to the "London Gazette" issued
on Saturday last, says His Majesty the King has 

been pleased to approve of the award of the
Victoria Cross to No. 6939 Private Robert Mactier,

late 23rd Battalion, Australian  Imperial Forces,
"for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to

duty on the morning of the 1st September, 1918,
during an attack on the village of Mt. St. Quentin.
Prior to the advance of the battalion it was  necessary
to clear up several  enemy strong points close

to our line.  This the bombing patrols sent forward

failed to effect, and the battalion was unable
to move.  Private Mactier single-handed, and in
daylight, thereupon jumped out of the trench,

rushed past the block, closed with and killed the

machine gun garrison of eight men with his revolver
and bombs, and threw the enemy machine gun

over the parapet. Then, rushing forward,
about 20 yards he jumped into another strong
point held by a garrison of six men, who immediately
surrendered.  Continuing to the next block
through the trench, he disposed of an enemy
machine gun which had been enfilading our flank
advancing troops, and was then  killed by another 
machine gun at close range/ it was entirely down

to this exceptional valour and determination of
private Mactier that the battalion was able to

move on to its "Jumping off " trench and carry our
the successful operation of capturing the village
of Mt St. Quentin a few hours later."
Private Mactier, who was a fine type of the wiry

Colonial was a son of Mr Robert Mactier,  Reitcam
Farm, Tatura, Australia, and a nephew of the 
Wm. Mactier, late  Glasgow  and H. S. Mactier of

Carleton, Whithorn.  He arrived in this country with 
his battalion in 1917 to complete his training before 
proceeding to France and during a short furlough

he made a tour of the district  with which he was 

so closely connected. Private Mactier had distinguished

himself on several occasions previously

to his last gallant effort. 

  Twenty-Third Battalion,

France.

8th DECEMBER, 1918.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. R. Mactier

WE, the Officers, M.C.O.s and Men of B Coy, unite in 

expressing the great honor and esteem in which your

son, Pte, Robt. Maetier, was held during the time he

was associated with us. 

THE VICTORIA CROSS, the highest honor that the

Army can accord, is a telling tribute to the almost

unparalleled example of bravery performed, and to the

noble self-sacrifice made. 

Pte. MACTIER, V.C, gave his own life, but by doing

so saved the lives of many of his comrades, and what

he accomplished at Mont St. Quentin contributed greatly

towards the ultimate success of the Battalion;s operations. 

Here your son was honored by us as a man among

men, and those of us who are left will always cherish

the memory of a fine character, and for duty well done

the example he set will never be forgotten. 

We all sympathise with you in your great loss, which we

know you feel so much. Soon we expect to be back in

out own homes in Australia, then some of us shall have

the opportunity of expressing what words we are unable to

convey. 

(Signed, W.A MARTIN, Capt., O.C. B Cory.

FRED J. JENKINS, Liet, B COY. 

W.B BRAZENOR, D.S.O., Lt.Col., C.O. 23rd Bn.

J. PASCOE, Capt., Adjt.

 

Printed in Belgium

Mr. Morrison. at the outset, explained that he had taken the 

responsibility of calling the delegates

together, and judging by the interest

shown by the various clubs, it looked 
as if the league would be reestablished 
in the high position it held

before the war. Many changes had

taken place since their last meeting. 

Many of the players had fallen fighting 
for their country and it was

their duty to show appreciation of

the sacrifices made. (At this stage

the delegates rose and stood in

silence, for a short period in memory 
of the fallen).

Proceeding, Mr. Morrison said the

fine spirit exhibited by the soldiers

on the battlefield was the result of

their training on the sporting arena

and especially in football. He was

not acquainted with all the men

who had fallen, but there was one

man who would be missed from the

table. That was Mr. W. Fischer, 

who was one of the delegates

present at the last meeting off the

association, and a sterling footballer

Private Robert Mactier of Tatura

had won the V.C., but in gaining

the great honor had lost his life. 

Their sympathy went out to the 

relatives of the fallen.  

 

printed In Memoriam notices - 

see original document

 

Pte R/ Mactier

c/o Presbyterian Soldiers' Institute

Broadmeadow

March 29th  1917

[* No 69

There is a rumour in
camp that we may
be going next week

for certain. Alas
there are some 
meningitis cases

in here  in the 

citizen  For *]

[* Dear Belle
I received

k and pleased to

usual I had the 

to Wilson's  had a 
Sunday we went to
mmer My word it w

grounds where *]
Dear Bell

I must write you a few lines
to thank you for your useful present which

you gave me through Mary. It is what a

fellow wants.  I have been innoculated
twice since I have been here they say they
keep all recruits here 3 weeks & then

draught them into something  xxxxxxx

Today they draughted out the War Babies
that is all those lads under nineteen, as
they do not allow any under that age to

go abroad. These lads are to be trained in

the Domain Camp. It has been raining here

all this afternoon

 

I must write you a few lines
to thank you for your useful present which

you gave me through Mary. It is what a

fellow wants.  I have been innoculated
twice since I have been here they say they
keep all recruits here 3 weeks & then

draught them into something else later

Today they draughted out the War Babies
that is all those lads under nineteen, as
they do not allow any under that age to

go abroad. These lads are to be trained in

the Domain Camp. It has been raining here

all this afternoon and the black mud does
stick to your boots make you inches taller.
When it rain they take us into the Y.M.C.A.

for a lecture, Billie Bohn

 is in the next hut
to me I see quite a lot of him  Have not seen

Jack Crawford yet. he is supposed to be here.

Trusting you & Sam  & Jim are in the
best of health.  I remain Your affec bro: Bob

* Dear Belle
I received

k and pleased to

usual I had the 

to Wilson's  had a 
Sunday we went to
mmer My word it w

(af) ternoon Mary & I we

returned soldiers w

grounds where *]

 

In Memoriam notices - see original article

TWO VICTORIAN GAIN D F C - see original article 

 

 

At Sea

Dear Bella,

Just finished dinner

its the best feed I've had since
I been on board. Had a birthday
one which it really was.  Rabbit
potatoes & carrots, soup & plum duff.
I'm having a good time now as I 
feel A.I. I was sick for a couple of
days. Billie Bohn was taken to the 
hospital he was pretty bad but he is
right now.  Thanks for the biscuits

which May got me from you.  We are

only allowed to write 3 letters a week
so you see one can't write much. It has 
been very rough plenty of waves coming
right over the ship.  There is a Corp
McTier on the same deck as we are don't

think he is any relation as he spells his 
name different,  There is also Corp

[[ ? Selverton]]. Old Tom's son You know

one never knows who next.  Must close 
now.  Remember me to them all I'd write

to many more but you see I cant

[*'Spose  by the time this reaches you 

all the cropping will be
done. I hope you have a good season.
 It rains here nearly
every day. Hoping Sam & Jim

& yourself  are all well. 

Remain Your
loving bro R.Mactier *]

 

 

I received your newsy letter last

week and pleased to see you were all well.

As usual I had the weekend off and went
out to Wilson's had a rest Saturday afternoon
on Sunday we went to Misses Boyer for a goose
dinner my word it was a bonzer dinner in the 
afternoon Mary & I went to see the procession
of returned soldiers who marched to the Melbourne

Cricket grounds where a memorial service was 

held we only watched the procession & then
went out to Aunt Mactier's for a while then
on to McLennan's for tea jove we had a great

talk came back to Wilson's with Mary had

Supper then out to B'meadows got here at 11 o'clock
so I had a big day.  Mary is looking much
better than when she came down I think she

is nearly done with the Docter now, we are having

a few route march now went ten miles this morn

Well Belle as I've a few more letters to write

I will conclude hoping Sam & Jim & yourself  are

all well I remain Your affe bro. Bob Mactier
 

 

 No 6939 pte R. Mactier

23 Battalion
A.I. Forces

Presbyterian Soldiers' Institute

THE CAMP 

April 30th 1917

[* There is a rumour in
camp that we may
be going next week

for certain. Alas
there are some 
meningitis cases

in here  in the 

citizen Forces R Mc *]

Dear Belle 
I  received Your newsy letter last

week and pleased to see you were all well.

As usual I had the weekend off and went
out to Wilson's had a rest Saturday afternoon
on Sunday we went to Misses Boyer for a goose
dinner my word it was a bonzer dinner in the 
afternoon Mary & I went to see the procession
of returned soldiers who marched to the Melbourne

Cricket grounds where a memorial service was 

held we only watched the procession & then
went out to Aunt Mactier's for a while then
on to McLennan's for tea jove we ha d a great

talk came back to Wilson's with Mary had

Supper then out to B'meadows got here at 11 o'clock
so I had a big day.  Mary is looking much

 

Sep 26

Dear Belle

I have just come back

from having embarked on leave.  We 
had eight days in all when I came
back there were a pie of letters and
papers for me  - as a mail came  in just
before we left among them was one from
you written just after you came home from
Carag.  Well Bell we had a grand
trip. First we went to London spent a
few hours there & caught  a train for
Belfast via Fleetwood there we boarded
a boat which took us seven hours ^to 

go across got a 
cabin and slept all the way as it was

eleven o'clock before we got on board. Of
course Billie Bohn was with me , arrived at
Belfast at six o'clock, had breakfast at

a buffet then we went out by train to
Bangor, a watering place by  the sea, a
very pretty place indeed; back by dinnertime
after dinner we got on a jaunting ca
and had a good look at the city  got