Richard James McGUARR

Regimental number3873
Place of birthLismore, New South Wales
SchoolCleveland Street Superior Public School Sydney, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationDairy farmer
AddressLismore, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 6"
Weight133 lbs
Next of kinFather, R McGuarr, Lismore, New South Wales
Enlistment date4 October 1915
Place of enlistmentHolsworthy, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name19th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/36/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 20 January 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll55th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingPozieres, Somme Sector, France
Age at death27
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 13), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
161
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Richard and Elizabeth McGUARR
Family/military connectionsBrother: 5051 Pte William Henry McGUARR, 20th Bn, returned to Australia, 10 January 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 20 January 1916; disembarked Alexandria, 26 February 1916.

Transferred to 55th Bn from 5th Brigade Details, Moascar, 3 April 1916; taken on strength of 55th Bn, Ferry Post, 3 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Posted missing, 20 July 1916.

On 10 February 1917 in a letter from Private McGuarr's father to Base Records it was stated, 'I have had word from his [Private McGuarr] comrade who went with him that he had been wounded in the German front trench.'

Previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, 20 July 1916, on the authority of the Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, 3rd Echelon, General Headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, 13 March 1917.

In a statement dated 13 November (but with no year), Pte O. Hodgson, 2677, 55th Bn, reported whilst at Northants War Hospital, 'that on July 20/16 at Vermelles, McGuarr was shot in the stomach just over own front line which was the old German line of trenches. He did not see him afterwards but heard he had died.'

Report from Australian Red Cross, Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, 15 October 1920, 'Guarr, Mc. R.T. 3873. 55 Batl?.Fell 19.7.16 near Fromelles. Final German Death List, S'.

Note on Red Cross File No 1910207: 'Disc received from Germany and forwarded to Next of Kin 26.6.19.'

Statement, 2677 Pte O. HODGSON, 55th Bn (patient, Northants War Hospital, Duston, England), 13 November [1916]: 'Informant states that on July 20/16 at Vermelles (sic) McGuarr was shot in the stomach just over our own front line which was the old German line of trenches. He did not see him afterwards but heard that he had died.'

Second statement, 2677 Pte O. HODGSON, 55th Bn (now patient, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Darford, England), 8 December 1916: 'Witness states that early in the morning of July 20th he saw the above lying desperately wounded between the German lines and our at Fromelles. He was so badly hit about the body, particularly in the stomach, that he must have died almost immediately after they left him. Witness helped cover him with a coat.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsFather's address subsequently 127 Renwick Street, Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales (16 January 1920)
SourcesNAA: B2455, McGUARR Richard James
Red Cross File No 1910207