William Sutherland Laurence McRae
Born 1 Dec 1913
- Service number
- 19907 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- William Sutherland Laurence AWMM
- William Sutherland LawrencePublic - Brigid Halmai Te Kahui - Child - 27 July 2024 - Family, he was my father
- Surname
- McRae AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- 19907 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
- Ngati TuwharetoaPublic - Brigid Halmai Te Kahui - Child - 27 July 2024 - family, my Dad
- Religion
- AnglicanPublic - Brigid Halmai Te Kahui - Child - 27 July 2024 - family, my Dad
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 1 Dec 1913 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Stonyhurst, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs H. McRae (wife), PO Box 61, Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 21 Jul 1943 AWMM Married AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 19907 AWMM
- Military service
- 2nd Maori Battalion AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
18 Oct 1945 AWMM
Lt. (T/Maj.) McRae commanded a company during the attack from San Lugo to Santterno River on 10 April 1945. In the vicinity of Fratturo his company met heavy enemy resistance from Spandau fire and guns from prepared positions along the canal. Manoeuvring his company and tanks into position, he attacked immediately. The enemy resisted very stubbornly, thus holding up the battalion's advance. Acting on his own initiative, Lt (T/Maj.) McRae re-positioned his tanks, and under their covering fire he led his men from a neighbouring battalion's sector, assaulted fearlessly and destroyed all enemy resistance. Many casualties were inflicted on the enemy and the battalion was able to penetrate the enemy's inner defences with ease. Due to his initiative and aggressiveness, his company was able to destroy the enemy, upset his balance and gain tactical advantage for the battalion. During this action he showed outstanding leadership and courage of the highest order and was an inspiration to those who fought under him. (London Gazette 18/10/1945) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for McRae, William Sutherland Laurence. (Ref. WO 373/14/231). Military Cross. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Cross (MC) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Station manager/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam AWMM Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
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- Last rank
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Biographical information
- Maj W. S. L. McRae, MC; Little River, Canterbury; born Blenheim, 1 Dec 1913; station manager; twice wounded. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.400.) AWMM
About death
- Death
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- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Further Reference - 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 18 October 1945, p.5102.). Military Cross.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37310/supplements/5102
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for McRae, William Sutherland Laurence. (Ref. WO 373/14/231). Military Cross.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355668
Further Reference - Paterson, Lachy. (24 October 2020). The forgotten Maori Battalion. maorihomefront.nz
https://www.maorihomefront.nz/en/whanau-stories/the-forgotten-maori-battalion/
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 127 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.400-1, 455, 467, 481. - Ko te Reo Huringa Tau o te Ope Maori Tuarua, i noho ki Remuera, Ohaeawai, 1942-43: The Anniversary Magazine of the Second Maori Battalion, Remuera, Ohaeawai 1942-1943. Patrick Smyth Papers, MS-2002-147, Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Nominal Roll of Members of the 2nd Maori Battalion, 26th January 1943. Part of the 2nd Maori Battalion Anniversary Magazine. (MS-2002-147). Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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