Mackay, Murdoch Nish (Major, b.1891 - d.1916)

Collection relating to the service of Major Murdoch Nish Mackay, Egypt, France, 1916. Collection consists of a typescript copy of a diary kept by Major Mackay which covers the period 24 January 1916 to 26 July 1916. Typescript copy made by Australian War Memorial. Location of original unknown.

Biographical note: Major Murdoch Nish Mackay, 22 Battalion AIF, who on 5 August 1916, was killed in action at Pozieres, aged 25. Other biographical details concerning him are: Son of George and Mary Henderson Mackay; husband of Margot Gordon Mackay, of Church St., Malvern, Victoria. Barrister of Bendigo, Victoria, born Bendigo, educated at Gravel Hill State School, St. Andrew's College and High School, Bendigo, and Ormond College, Melbourne, and Melbourne University; age at time of death 25. He had (says his father) a brilliant University career, gaining honours each year: obtained LL.B degree before he was 20, and was Master of Laws at 20. He was admitted to the Bar at 21, and had appeared in the High Court of Australia before leaving for the front at the age of 24. He left Australia in May 1915 (as Captain) and gained his majority in Gallipoli, where he served for four months, before returning to Egypt and thence to France. Before the war he served in the Bendigo Citizen Forces and the Brunswick-Carlton Infantry.