Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alick (Alexander) Finlayson was born in Stornoway Scotland 1886. The specific date and month we were born was not specified however it is likely he was born in September due to his enlistment date. Finlayson was a labourer before participating in World War 1. He lived on 29 William Street Norwood SA. This was a 4-bedroom home that was under his name until being sold in 1999. This house is still standing today.

Finlayson had a wife named Eloise Finlayson. His mother’s name was Bella Finlayson, and his father wasn’t mentioned. A description of Finlayson’s appearance was given in his service record however no photo had been found. His appearance was described has having a fresh complexion (looking healthy and clean), he had blue eyes and dark hair. He was 5 feet 11 ¼ which was very tall during this period and he weighed 76 kg. When he enlisted into the war, he was declared healthy and fit in his medical examination.   

Finlayson was enlisted into the war on the 30th of August 1915 in South Australia. Alick Finlayson embarked for the war on the 11/1/16. When Finlayson enlisted to serve in the war, he was first placed in the 32nd battalion to start training. It wasn’t long before he was taken on strength by the 16th battalion on the 7/3/16 and was sent to Zeitoun, Egypt to complete his training. Shortly after, the 16th battalion moved to Kebir, Egypt where they finished their training. 

Finlayson's time with the 16th battalion came to an end when he was transferred to the 4/div artillery brigade and was posted to the 11th battery within the 4th artillery 16/3/16. The brigade was training in Alexandria at the time before embarking on a boat to Mineaplois 14/3/16. Whilst in this battalian, he was transferred to many places including Marsellies, Harve, Thiennes and Lynde. 

16/3/16 Finlayson joined the 4th div artillery and was taken on strength of the 24th brigade in the 11th battery. Whilst in this position, he fought in a battle that his battery was involved in. This battle started on 2/7/16. They were taking over the area of the 6th and 5th field artillery in Caestre. Telephone communication was used to know when it was time to prepare in position before firing shells. They were told to be ready to move by the 7th hour. It was communicated to the commanding officer that they must take over the area. They were told to take over guns and ammunition sets (bullets fired form guns). During the battle, many shells were fired from both the enemy and the artillery Finlayson was working in. They also used heavy fire which helped to destroy concentration [SU1] camps. The enemy even shelled their trenches on the 4/7/16. As they were coming towards the end of the battle, many were starting to get wounded.

On the 1/8/16, Finlayson was sent to hospital with a bruised foot. He was unable to continue in the battle as a foot injury was serious during the war times. If the soldier’s feet were hurt, they wouldn’t be fit enough to fight. He stayed in hospital until the 16/8/16.

He was transferred to the 10th field artillery brigade on the 25/1/17. He was declared a driver when transferred. Drivers were responsible for setting up the machinery being used in battles and would sometimes fire them. Whilst in this artillery, Finlayson would have been involved in the Messines battle 7th-14th of July 1917. This battle was an attack the British second army on the western front in Belgium. This battle was to force the Germans to move reserves to Flanders from the Arras and Aisne front in hope of relieving pressure on the French. The British’s aim was to capture the German defences on the ridge which ran through Messines depriving the Germans of the high ground. [SU3] 

On the 10/10/17, Finlayson became severely sick with PUO (Pyrexia fever) and was sent to hospital from 3 long months. . Pyrexia fever is the elevation of an individual’s core temperature above a set-point regulated by the body’s thermoregulatory centre. Whilst in hospital, he was moved around several times. He started in the care of the red cross in Lu Loquet 13/10/17 to 6th con depot. He then moved to Etaples 28/10/17. He then came out of Hospital 16/1/18 whilst in Havre. From here he went to the base depot.

He finally marched back in on the 17/1/18. When he walked in there was a battle occurring between the 10th artillery and the 12th army brigade in Caetre. Shortly after marching in from hospital, he got another foot injury on the 31/1/18. He was diagnosed with poor contraction tendons in his foot. When these tendons are damaged, it becomes impossible to move. Once again, this made it impossible for Finlayson to fight in battles and he had to rest his foot to avoid paralysation.

His foot healed in March, and he was then transferred to London (the brigade’s headquarters) 11/3/18. Whilst at headquarters he was absent one day without leave in London 28/3/18. This was a common occurrence for soldiers during the war but it was strictly not allowed. He soldiers usually are questioned after being absent without leave and can sometimes have consequences. There was nothing stated in Finlayson’s service record about the consequences. They stayed at headquarters for nearly 3 months.

Overall, Finlayson served for 3 years and 71 days. His service abroad was 2 years and 267 days as he was in hospital for a long period of time. Finlayson was discharged on the 8/8/18 and disembarked to Australia on a boat. He was discharged due to being medically unfit.

There wasn’t much information given on Finlayson’s time after the war however there was still some information about the medals he received, his death and the ship he disembarked to Australia on. Finlayson received the British war medal. This medal is a World War 1 campaign medal that was created by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War 1 and record the service given. Finlayson also received the Victory medal. This medal was awarded to people who entered a theatre of war on duty between the 5th of August 1914 and 11 November 1918. The theatre of war refers to the entire land.

After Finlayson was discharged on the 8/8/18, he returned back to Australia on the Carpentaria  Finlayson died on the 27th of May 1969. He died in Daw park, SA. His cause of death has not yet been discovered. He is buried in the Centennial Park cemetery, South Australia.