Maclachlan, PTE Roy Campbell
Roy Campbell Machlachlan (1898-1979), farmer and soldier, was born in Leederville, Perth, WA to John and Susan Machlachlan. His family moved to York right after his birth.
He enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 3rd of July 1917 at the age of 18 and was posted to the 9th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service just 3 weeks later In December 1917. Whilst in England, he transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion becoming a Driver and thus his brief service with the 44th Battalion ended.
He fought with the 2nd Pioneer Regiment at Messines, Hellfire Corner, Armentieres, Somme and San Quentin. He fought alongside the 44th Battalion in many of these engagements.
After the war, he studied animal husbandry, rural economics, farm management and parasites at Edinburgh University throughout 1919. After returning to Australia, he briefly farmed at Balga before moving to Talbot, near York. He had a joint company with this father “R.C & J.C. MacLachlan” until 1945.
Roy was a member of the local York Agricultural Society, York RSL and a respected leader of the local community.
Roy married Julia in 1923 and had 3 sons (Max, Donald, John) and 3 daughters (Dulcie, Grace and Julie) between 1926 and 1940.
In 1921, he was investigated for breaking a neighbour’s (Matthew Ryan) lock and was fined. The following year, Roy started a legal case against Matthew. Roy claimed that he had purchased land from Matthew and that a few days later, Matthew would not let him take control of the land. So, Roy broke into the property, destroying the lock. However, he contended that it was his own property, Roy had paid 600 pounds for it. It is unclear what the result of the legal feud (which lasted a year) was. It was claimed that the company that had sold the land had done so illegally, Matthew threatened to impound any of Roy’s livestock found on the disputed property.
By 1974, he was the caretaker of Beverley Fire Station. He died in Brookton in 1979 at the age of 81.
Machlachlan was an Australian soldier who was an expert in close combat,
He was physically and mentally tough, compassionate and courageous,
He led by example, he strove to take the initiative,
He was committed to learning and working for the team,
He believed in trust, loyalty and respect for his country, his mates and the Army,
The rising sun was his badge of honour,
He is an Australian soldier, Always!
Record completed by Luca Muir Anderson
Sources
National Archives of Australia
Ancestry.com
Eastern Districts Chronicle (28/10/1921, P.2)
The West Australian (21/04/1922, P.8)
Avon Gazette and York Times (30/03/1923, P.3)
The York Leader and Quairading and Dangin Herald (29/11/1946, P.4)
The Beverley Times (20/06/1974, P.7)
