Obituaries Australia

DEATH OF MAJOR McCRAE.

Brief reference was made in "The Argus" yesterday to the fact that Major Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, younger son of Mr. George Gordon McCrae, of Hawthorn, was killed in action on July 20 in France. He was only 26, was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, and went out to the war as captain, having had the advantage of six years' military training. For several weeks he was in military charge of transports in the Ægean, and so, though in full sight of it, was unable to be with his men at the Gallipoli landing, which was a source of lasting regret to him. Obtaining leave, however, he rejoined his battalion, and thereafter was hard at work in the trenches up to the tune of the evacuation. He was twice wounded at Anzac, once severely in the shoulder, and absence from wounds and illness, unfortunately interfered with his promotion. During a temporary absence of Colonel Elliott, however, he took charge of the 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, as acting lieut.colonel.

Full information is not yet to hand, but it is inferred that be lost his life in the attack of the Australians on Pozieres. He was beloved by all his men, as well as by his brother officers, and had a name for coolness, courage, and resource. His brigadier-general, in a letter to the young soldiers father, particularly remarked on his indifference to danger when acting as intelligence officer in Gallipoli.