Hugh McAuley

Hugh McAuley (Service No 364) was born in Glasgow, Scotland and had served with the Highland Light Infantry before coming to Australia.

At enlistment he was single, 30 years old, worked as a labourer and lived at Port Kembla, N.S.W.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A19 Afric with 1st Battalion, C Company on 18th October 1914.  Arriving in Egypt he underwent training and was sent to Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.

Hugh was wounded in action, receiving a wound to his leg, sometime between 25th and 30th April, and was evacuated for treatment. He rejoined his Company on 2nd September 1915.

On 7th November Hugh was promoted to Lance Corporal.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli, he was transferred to 53rd Battalion in Egypt on 13th February 1916.

On 16th March he was promoted to Sergeant but on 28th April 1916 Hugh requested that he be reverted to Private.

Hugh arrived in France on 25th June 1916 and was taking part in the battle for Fromelles when he was wounded in action a second time on 19th July 1916. He was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of a severe gun shot wound to his right thigh and did not returned to the fighting until 14th February 1917 when he joined up with 53rd Battalion.

Hugh was wounded a third time, on 17th April 1918, when he was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of severe gassing.

On 16th July 1918 he married Alice Clifford in Gloucester but she does not appear to have returned to Australia with him.

Hugh was returned to Australia in February 1919 and was discharged from the AIF in Brisbane on 26th April 1919.

He died in Victoria in 1956 at the age of 72.