Their bodies are buried in peace; but their names liveth for evermore.
Their Duty Done
A tribute to the men and women of the East Gippsland Region who Died
as a result of their participation in World War One : 1914 - 1919
McLaren was working on the construction of the Bairnsdale-Orbost railway
when war broke out, and he attempted to enlist with the first expeditionary
force but failed. Three months later he was contacted by the Defence
Department and enlisted on 1 October when he was 30 years old. He was
quickly promoted to Corporal the following month before embarking to Mena
camp in Egypt and the Dardanelles. He was killed in action two days after
landing on 27 April and was buried at Quinn’s Post cemetery.
In a letter home, Private P. Morieson of Lindenow, wrote “Already a tent
mate of mine, a Corporal McLaren, a man about 30 years of age, and with a big
experience, the most practical man in our company, and possessing the full
confidence of our officers. He was absolutely without fear, and disdained to
take cover. He was shot while standing on the top of the trench. What hurts me
most was the fact that no matter how popular a fellow was, the moment he was
killed he was immediately forgotten; but one soon gets used to every phase of
the ghastly business and hardened to such things.” Hector McLaren is
remembered on the Orbost honour roll.
904 Private Hector McLaren - Orbost
Killed in Action 27 April 1915
….. he was absolutely without fear
