Marrickville, NSW
4855
13th Battalion, 15th reinforcement
Gilgandra Coo-ee
Returned to Australia 8.12.1918
Private Andrew James McGregor 4855
Andrew McGregor sold the prosperous business, IXL Bakery in Gilgandra to join the Coo-ee March. He was a 34 year old baker and was described as 5’ 4” tall, 8stone 9 lb (54kgs), dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. His distinctive marks were 3 vaccination marks left arm, scar on his left eyebrow, back of head, left knee and right calf. His wife, Alice McGregor was noted as next of kin. James had been in the Colonial Forces for 10 years, ranked Corporal and Sergeant.
Andrew joined the Coo-ee March when he passed his medical examination by Dr Peet in Gilgandra on October 9, 1915. After training at Liverpool, he embarked for Egypt on the Star of England on March 8, 1916. Andrew trained in Egypt, and was transferred to the No 4 Pioneer Battalion, 2nd Australian Field Bakery. They arrived in France at the Western Front in June 1916 and faced Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Bullecourt and Messines as part of The Battle of the Somme. Andrew had two short admissions to hospital in 1917 and was admitted to hospital in England in June 1918 with a severe back problem, scoliosis and did not return to active service.
Andrew returned to Australia on the D32 Giaka and was discharged from the AIF on December 29, 1918 as permanently unfit for service. He was issued the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Andrew McGregor was the fifth of six brothers to volunteer. and the sixth brother volunteered at Parramatta with the Coo-ees. The brothers, in order of age were; Arthur E 10156; William G 2064; Oscar John, 2886; Frederick H ? and Charles , 2657.
Andrew and Alice were married in 1902, they had two children Frederick and Ella.
Andrew died 1 October 1938 at Randwick Prince of Wales Hospital aged 55 years. He is buried at Rookwood Cemetery
Andrew is commemorated on the Gilgandra Coo-ee Gateway Memorial and the Gilgandra Honor Roll
