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Sergeant Alexander Peter McRae
Description
TitleSergeant Alexander Peter McRaeSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionPeter was born 9th February 1890 at Ashburton, son of William and Margaret Gordon McRae. Before enlisting he was Head Teacher at Lakeside School. He had previous military experience with the Officers Training Corp at Canterbury College. He was 5ft 5 ½ in tall with a medium complexion, blue/grey eyes and brown hair.
Peter enlisted 13 October 1915 and was assigned to the Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion. He embarked on 5 February 1916 bound for Suez. After the troop reorganisation in Egypt he embarked for France from Alexandria on 7 April 1916. He was promoted temporary Sergeant on 16 October and the promotion was confirmed 7th March 1917. He was killed in action on 7th June 1917, aged 27, during the battle for Messines. He was buried near where he fell, noted as “buried in an angle formed by meeting of Stinking Farm Road and crossroad running north into Messines past La Bassee Court Farm, about 150 yards south of Stinking Farm Road and 200 yards from Messines.” However even with these precise directions his body was not found or identified so his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing, Belgium. Areas of land were fought over many times, shelled and trenched, destroying landmarks and bodies. In New Zealand Alexander is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Ashburton War Memorial.
According to "Stockport Lads Together" (a brief history of 6/Cheshire), Stinking Farm was so-called because of the number of bloated cattle corpses and loads of rotting turnips.
Messines was considered a strong strategic position, not only from its height above the plain below, but from the extensive system of cellars under the convent known as the 'Institution Royale'. An attack by French troops on 6 -7th November was unsuccessful and it was not until the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 that it was retaken by the New Zealand Division. On 10-11th April 1918, the village fell into German hands once more after a stubborn defence by the South African Brigade, but was retaken for the last time on 28-29 September 1918. The Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial stands within Messines Ridge British Cemetery and commemorates over 800 soldiers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who died in or near Messines in 1917 and 1918 and who have no known grave. This is one of seven memorials in France and Belgium to those New Zealand soldiers who died on the Western Front and whose graves are not known.First NameAlexander PeterLast NameMcRaeFamilySingleSon of William and Margaret Gordon McRaeDate of Birth9 February 1890Place of BirthAshburtonDate of Death7 June 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death27
Peter enlisted 13 October 1915 and was assigned to the Rifle Brigade, 3rd Battalion. He embarked on 5 February 1916 bound for Suez. After the troop reorganisation in Egypt he embarked for France from Alexandria on 7 April 1916. He was promoted temporary Sergeant on 16 October and the promotion was confirmed 7th March 1917. He was killed in action on 7th June 1917, aged 27, during the battle for Messines. He was buried near where he fell, noted as “buried in an angle formed by meeting of Stinking Farm Road and crossroad running north into Messines past La Bassee Court Farm, about 150 yards south of Stinking Farm Road and 200 yards from Messines.” However even with these precise directions his body was not found or identified so his name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing, Belgium. Areas of land were fought over many times, shelled and trenched, destroying landmarks and bodies. In New Zealand Alexander is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Ashburton War Memorial.
According to "Stockport Lads Together" (a brief history of 6/Cheshire), Stinking Farm was so-called because of the number of bloated cattle corpses and loads of rotting turnips.
Messines was considered a strong strategic position, not only from its height above the plain below, but from the extensive system of cellars under the convent known as the 'Institution Royale'. An attack by French troops on 6 -7th November was unsuccessful and it was not until the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 that it was retaken by the New Zealand Division. On 10-11th April 1918, the village fell into German hands once more after a stubborn defence by the South African Brigade, but was retaken for the last time on 28-29 September 1918. The Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial stands within Messines Ridge British Cemetery and commemorates over 800 soldiers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who died in or near Messines in 1917 and 1918 and who have no known grave. This is one of seven memorials in France and Belgium to those New Zealand soldiers who died on the Western Front and whose graves are not known.First NameAlexander PeterLast NameMcRaeFamilySingleSon of William and Margaret Gordon McRaeDate of Birth9 February 1890Place of BirthAshburtonDate of Death7 June 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death27
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMessines Memorial to the MissingAshburton War Memorial Ellesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingHead Teacher at Lakeside SchoolRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd BattalionEnlistment Details13th October 1915Service Number25/1002 Embarkation5th February 1916Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportMokoia NavuaUlimaroaCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Sergeant Alexander Peter McRae. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/226