Victor Dalziel

Victor Dalziel was born in the Gold Rush town of Steiglitz, Victoria on October 7, 1898 and was one of eleven children. His early years were spent in Queensland working as a farmer until he enlisted in June 1918. His brother, Henry Dalziel had been on service in Gallipoli after enlisting in 1915.

He and his brother are credited with discovering tin samples which led to the opening of Boulder Mine near Emuford. This mine was one of the largest mines in the area and remained in production until the 1960s.

He served in the 9th Battalion while on service.

When he returned from the war (1919), he received the nickname ‘Plugger’ as he was regarded as a ‘crack’ rifleman. He married Maud and they had four children, only two of which survived.

They moved to Fairy Meadow with the family and eventually moved to Corrimal where Victor resided until his death from cancer in 1972.

He worked as an engineer on the ‘Main Roads Board’ but there were times where he worked in Papua New Guinea as a plantation overseer.

Victor had a saying which he always repeated to his children:

‘An old soldier never dies, he only fades away.’

These stories and photos have been generously shared with Wollongong City Libraries by Victor’s family.