Roderic Archibald Macalpine

(Confirmed)

Born: 16 August, 1893

Died: 6 August, 1963

Biographical Summary:

Mentioned in despatches for service at Gallipoli.

Awarded the Military Cross for actions during a German attack on the front line held by the 4th Battalion.

The recommendation is as follows:

"When the Germans attacked Boursies on 15th April 1917, Lieut. Macalpine led his platoon in a spirited counter attack against a party of them.  Later on when Captain Woodman became a casualty, Lieut. Macalpine assumed command of the company and by means of his own personal bravery and skilful handling of the remnants of the Company he was able to continue a strenuous defence."

He was court martialled in April 1919 and found guilty of misuse of his paybook.  He was sentenced to lose his seniority.  This was not confirmed by the Commander, 1st Brigade, AIF.  Instead he was paraded before the Commander, Australian 1st Division and severely censured.

[JSB]

Service Number: 143

Ranks:

• Held rank of Sergeant
• Held rank of Company Sergeant Major
• Held rank of Second Lieutenant
• Held rank of Lieutenant
• Held rank of Captain

Birth Records:

• 16 August, 1893 in Mosman

Death Records:

• 6 August, 1963 in Cremorne

Life Events:

• Awarded MC

Address:

• 63 Shadforth Street Mosman NSW Australia

Relationships:

• father - Archibald Macalpine
• mother - Annie Jane Marian Reed
• wife - Olive Mary Nelson

Organisations:

• Member of - 4th Battalion AIF

Main Sources:

• MacAlpine Roderick Archibald SERN CAPT POB Sydney NSW POE Sydney NSW NOK MacAlpine Archibald (Webpage)
• Honours and Awards Roderick Archibald Macalpine Recommendation MID Pozieres (Webpage)
• Honours and Awards Roderick Archibald Macalpine Recommendation MC (Webpage)
• First World War Embarkation Rolls Roderic Archibald Macalpine (Website)
• IN HOSPITAL (Newspaper Article)
• CASUALTIES MANY REPORTED ILL 133rd LIST ISSUED NEW SOUTH WALES RETURNED TO DUTY (Newspaper Article)
• AUSTRALIANS HONOURED (Newspaper Article)
• AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS (Newspaper Article)
• SOME DECORATED MEN TO RETURN SHORTLY MELBOURNE Saturday (Newspaper Article)
• Birth Notice (Newspaper Article)

Commemorations:

• MACALPINE R. A. on the East Face of the
• Macalpine on the Mosman Public School Roll of Honour
• R.A. on the St Clement's World War 1 Roll of Honour