Surname:	McQueen
Forename(s):	Lachlan
Rank:	Private
Service number:	1869
Regiment:	3/50th Bn Australian Infantry A.I F.
Date of death:	2 April 1917 Aged 21
Place of death:	Noreuil
Buried Commemorated	Noreuil Australian Cemetery – Sp Memorial B.25 Kingussie War Memorial

Background

Lachlan was born on 6 May 1896 at Etteridge, Newtonmore to Donald and Ann McQueen (m.s. Fraser). His parents married at Inverallan in 1878. They were Donald McQueen, a railway surfaceman, and Ann (m.s. Fraser).

Lachlan may have emigrated to Australia in 1914 aged 17. By August 1915 he had married Charlotte Beryle Claudine Sugars and lived at 9 Claxton Street, off Gouger Street, Adelaide, South Australia.

War Record

Lachlan enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force 3/50 Infantry on 9 August 1915 while living at 21 Mary Street, Stepney, East Adelaide, South Australia. His occupation is given as Warehouseman.
He had previously served in the 6th Bt Gordon Highlanders Territorial Corps and the Citizen Military Force 79th Bt A Coy Australia, CMF. His unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT Seang Bee on 13 July 1916. He embarked as a Sergeant with extra pay but reverted to being a Private on 10 September 1916 when he was in the 13th Training Battalion at Codford Camp on the edge of Salisbury Plain. In December 1916 Lachlan spent time in hospital at Etaples. He was killed in action 2 April 1917. His grave, at Noreuil Australian Cemetery, was lost along with 83 others due to shell fire during the First World War. His gravestone bears the inscription “Known to be buried in this cemetery”

Adelaide Chronicle Saturday 12 May 1917
“THE LATE SERGEANT-MAJOR L.McQUEEN.
News has been received stating that Sergeant-Major Lachlan (Les) McQueen was killed in action in France on April 2. He was born near Inverness, and came to Adelaide about four years ago.
He was in the employ of Griffiths Brothers. Enlisting in the A.I.F. in August,1915, he took a great interest in his duties, and his promotion was rapid.
Early in 1916 he was made Staff Sergeant-Major at Mitcham Camp, Australia and performed the duties for several months.
Sergeant-Major L. McQueen joined the A.I.F. in June, and sailed early in July with the 3rd Reinforcements, 50th Battalion. After his arrival in England he had a severe attack of influenza, and was a few weeks in hospital. On recovery he was sent to France. He was twenty-two years of age, and the youngest of five brothers, two of whom are still fighting in France and one in Sulonika. His only sister is serving as a nurse. Much sympathy is felt for his young widow.”

He is also commemorated on Notre Dame-de-Lorette Memorial and Panel 151 Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Lachlan’s brother Donald is listed on the Morayshire Roll of Honour page 325. –
McQUEEN, Donald. No. 301093, Bombardier, R.G.A. ; born at Grantown, 27th Feb., 1879 ; joined at Fort George, 10th July, 1916 ; served in France, Salonica and Palestine. Son of Donald and Annie F. McQueen, Etteridge, Newtonmore. Occupation, gamekeeper.