Malcolm Julian McArthur MC, DCM, QSA. R Highlanders

1908 Rugby olympics

Australian born, his father died when he was young. His stepfather was a journalist

1882 Jul 30. Born Sydney Aus, son of Malcolm and Mary A McArthur

1900/01 Served in Johannesburg Mounted Rifles in Boer War.

1908-09 McArthur's rugby career was played with the Eastern Suburbs RUFC in Sydney. He was selected in Australia's inaugural national rugby team to tour the northern hemisphere - Dr Paddy Moran's First Wallabies for the 1908-09 Australia rugby union tour of the British Isles and France.At the time the rugby tournament for the London Olympics game may not have appeared to be of great significance. Australia had already beaten Cornwall, the British county champions early in the tour and Scotland, Ireland and France had all turned down the Rugby Football Union's invitation to participate in the Olympic bouts. Neither the tour captain Moran, nor the vice-captain Fred Wood played, so Chris McKivat led the Wallabies to an easy 32-3 victory and to Olympic glory, with each Wallaby in that match thereafter an Olympic gold medallist.

McArthur made his Test debut on that tour at Rectory Field, Blackheath in the Test against England in January 1909 - a match won by Australia 9-3.

1915 Sep 20. Landed in France

1916 Oct 19. Battalion War Dairy About 10 am Capt. TAYLOR moved up part of ‘B’ Company to firing line, and vigorous bomb attacks were carried out under Sergt. MURRAY, BARCLAY and McARTHUR, all of whom greatly distinguished themselves. By 12 noon all of our front line had been recaptured and bombing parties continued onwards driving back the Bosch out of the next sector [piece of writing deleted by scribbling over].

1917 Aug 16. DCM Gazetted.

 

1918 Jun 25. Commissioned 2nd Lt

1919 OCt 4. MC Gazetted. T./2nd Lit. Malcolm Julian McArthur, D.C.M., R Highrs., attd. l/7th Bn., T.F. During operations from 21st-25th October, 1918, in an advance from Iwuy to Maing, he led his platoon to the successful assault over the River Ecaillon, despite heavy enemy fire on the bridges thrown across the river. Later, when his company commander was wounded, he took command of the company. His resource and personal gallantry enabled him to hold the ground won against very severe opposition

Back of McArthur's photo - State Library of NSW

1920 Jun 12. Lt. M. J. McArthur, M.C., D.C.M., relinquishes his commission on completion of service, and retains the rank of L

1920 Nov 27. Arrives in UK from Australia. Commercial Traveller. Lives England/Australia

1921 Oct 26. Joined ADRIC with service no 2137. Posted to P Coy

1922 Jan 24. Discharged on demobilisation of ADRIC

1926 Aug In Prince Albert Hospital , Sydney

1930 - 1958 on NSW Voters register. A Textile Machinist, wife Ruby Constance McArthur

1932 May 7. Executor of McMahon will (as on MIC). This is his mother.

1961 Nov 6. Died Albury, New South Wales, Australia

 

ADRIC