About Gordon McRae

Gordon was born in 1887, in Roebourne, Western Australia to Alexander & Isabel McRae. His father was an early settler of the north west region and a pioneer pearler.

Broome Connection

Gordon’s father was involved in the Western Australian pearling industry from its inception and Gordon had his own pearling operation in Broome.

War Service

Gordon enlisted on the 9th October 1914 and was posted to the 10th Light Horse, A Squadron. He embarked with his unit aboard the HMAT A47 Mashobra on 8 February 1915 and disembarked in Egypt in March. The 10th Light Horse first action of war was during the Gallipoli campaign, where they were used in an unmounted role. Gordon and his squadron arrived in Gallipoli in May. When the Allies launched the August Offensive the 10th Light Horse were among the first horse men over the sandbags in the failed Battle of Nek, when they mounted a futile bayonet attack on the Ottoman trenches. It was during the charge at the Nek that Gordon lost his life.

Enlistment Details

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Date of Enlistment: 19/10/1914
Place of Enlistment: Guildford, Western Australia
Occupation: Pearler
Age at Enlistment: 27
Service Number: 125
Unit: 10th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron
Rank: Trooper
Fate: Killed in Action
Place of Death:Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey 
Date of Death: 07/08/1915
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey 
Place of Association: Guildford, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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Newspaper Articles

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Other Online Resources

View Gordon McRae at the National Archives of Australia
View Gordon McRae at the Australian War Memorial