John (Eric) McGlashan
(1888-1942)
More than 416,000 Australians volunteered for service in World War I, of these 324,000 served overseas. Two-thirds suffered casualties and more than 60,000 Australians never came home.
Eric was one month away from his 29th birthday, when he enlisted on 17th August, 1916. He had been married just 18 months and at the time was a medical practitioner at Orroroo, South Australia. He embarked on the HMAT "Euripides" at Melbourne on 11th September, 1916 and arrived at Plymouth on 26th October.
Eric's postings included hospitals at Dartford, England and Wimereux, France and the 14th Field Ambulance in France. He was also detached to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.
On 9th July, 1918, a recommendation was made during his service with the 14th Field Ambulance, 5th Australian Division, Australian Corps:
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On 4th July 1918 Captain McGlashan was in charge of the evacuation of the wounded South-East of Mericourt (south-west of Albert). He displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in frequently exposing himself to great risk in order to visit the various posts on a long line of evacuation in the face of heavy shelling and machine gun fire. Much of his work was done in the open under enemy observation. He displayed ability and sound judgement in directing the evacuations, and by his self sacrificing courage and devotion set a splendid example to his men. He was largely responsible for the successful evacuation of wounded in this section. Sgd. J. Talbot Hobbs, Major-General,
Commanding 5th Australian Division. |
Mericourt-l'Abbe is a village approximately 19 kilometres north-east of Amiens and 10 kilometres south-west of Albert. Heilly Station Cemetery is about 2 kilometres south-west of Mericourt-l'Abbe, on the south side of the road to Corbie. There are 3,000 1914-18 war casualties commemorated at this site. The cemetery was begun in May, 1916, and was used by three medical units until April,1917. From March to May, 1918, it was used by Australian units, and in the early autumn for further hospital burials.
Wimereux, where Eric also served, has a war cemetery often visited by those who appreciate the sacrifice of our forefathers. It is the final resting place of Dr. John McRae who died of meningitis at the age of 46 on January 28, 1918.
Essex Farm Cemetery is very close to the place where John McCrae, the young Canadian doctor, worked at an advanced dressing station. The wounded were brought here on stretchers. On one occasion, a soldier, writhing in pain from a German gas attack, turned out to be one of his best friends and he could do nothing to help. It may have been from this experience that he wrote, "In Flanders Fields", the most famous poem of WWI .
One wonders if these men met. On 19th April, 1919 Eric was returned to Australia per "Boonah" via Devonport. Further details of his honour appear below.
| Headquarters Australian Imperial Force Attached Headquarters 5th Army BEF 24th July, 1918 |
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| Dear
McGlashan,
I am very pleased indeed to see that you have been awarded the Military Cross, which you have fully earned by your conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of the evacuation of the wounded near Mericourt on the 4th July, and I heartily congratulate you on this distinction. I know that you displayed untiring energy and a total disregard for your personal safety in visiting the various posts on a long line of evacuation in the face of heavy shell and machine gun fire. Much of this work had to be done in the open under the observation of the enemy, and required not only great courage but sound judgment in directing the evacuations. These were carried out very successfully, and I realise how much this success was due to your fine work, for which I sincerely thank you.
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Eric’s brother, Robert, enlisted in the AIF and served in Gallipoli and later France, where he was wounded. Recuperating in Kent, he wrote "Strangers’ Guide To Dartford And District", to while away the monotonous hours.
The following newspaper clipping moved me to consider the service of the McGlashan and Dodd brothers during World War I:
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Two Historic Gatherings Today to be an Australian in London is to feel that you are something more of a Britisher than ever you were. London is proud of Australia, and likes to let the world know of its pride. The great patriotic demonstration recently held at the Guildhall, when the Dominions were thanked for their services in the war, was one means by which London expressed its appreciation of our efforts. The magnificently solemn service at St Paul's, last night, to the memory of the Australians fallen in the war, was again the outpouring of the nation's thanks for our patriotic assistance, and our consecration in blood on behalf of Empire. I was privileged to be present on both occasions... ...The feat of arms which was achieved on the rocky beach and scrub-grown cliffs of the Gallipoli Peninsula in the grey dawn of St Mark's Day, April 25, was a feat, we are assured, whose prowess has never been outshone, has scarcely ever been rivalled, in military annals. As the open boats under a hail from hidden guns poured out their men in thousands on the beach, below perpendicular cliffs of tangled scrub, the task of breasting those heights looked, to many expert eyes, a sheer impossibility. But by the dauntless gallantry of brave men the impossible feat was accomplished, and the record of those hours and of the days which followed is now a portion of our Empire's heritage for ever. And who did it? It was not the product of the long discipline of some veteran corps of soldiers. It was mainly the achievement of men from sheep stations in the Australian bush, or from the fields or townships of New Zealand, who a few short months ago had no dream of warfare, as like other civilians, they went about their ordinary work. But the call rang out and the response was ready, and the result is before us all. Those Australians and New Zealanders are enrolled among the champions whom the Empire, for generations to come, will delight to honour. One of the best traits of all is the generous tribute given by each group to the indomitable valour of the rest. To quote from the private letter of a young New Zealander, "the Australians were magnificent, and deserve every good word that is said of them". And all unite to praise the officers, midshipmen, and men who formed the beach parties, in that eventful landing, each boat, we are reminded, "in charge of a young midshipman, many of whom have come straight from Dartmouth after only a couple of terms". But of necessity it was at fearful cost that these gallant deeds were done, and the great roll of drums under this dome tonight, will reverberate our reverent and grateful sympathy to the Empire's furthest bound"... |
