Regimental number | 6939 |
Place of birth | Tatura Victoria |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | Tatura, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 26 |
Height | 5' 6" |
Weight | 137 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, Robert Mactier, Tatura PO, Tatura, Victoria |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Seymour, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 23rd Battalion, 19th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/40/5 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 23rd Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of death or wounding | Mont St Quentin, France |
Age at death from cemetery records | 28 |
Place of burial | Hem Farm Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row J, Grave 3), Hem-Monacu, France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 99 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Commemorated in Tatura Cemetery, Victoria. Parents: Robert (b. 17 April 1848; d. 6 April 1939, aged 90; bu. Tatura) and Christina MACTIER, Tatura, Victoria |
Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of the 1st September, 1918, during the 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 immediatley 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 due to this exceptional valour and determination of Private Mactier that the battalion was able to move on ot its "jumping off" trench and carry out the successful operation of capturing the village of Mt. St. Quentin a few hours later.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 1243 Pte David MACTIER, 37th Bn, returned to Australia, 26 September 1917. |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 11 May 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, and marched into 6th Training Bn, Rollestone, 20 July 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 14 November 1917; taken on strength, 23rd Bn, 23 November 1917. Killed in action, 1 September 1918. Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal |