Private 2861

8th Battalion

Ballarat

Mr. William McHutchison of Stony Creek, Victoria

Meeniyan, Victoria 3/7/1915

Age 39 years 11 months 5'4", 11 stone 7 pounds, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Tattoos on both forearms

Methodist

Farm labourer

He was found dead in the desert near Heliopolis Egypt on 18/10/1915

He was buried in the Cairo War cemetery Egypt.

He was from Stony Creek


He had tattoos on both arms
He was from Stony Creek
He is on Grassy Spur Honour Roll
He is on Meeniyan Honour Roll
3/7/15 He enlisted in Meeniyan
15/9/15 He embarked Melbourne on the SS Makarina
18/10/15 He was found dead in the desert in Egypt


The reports of his death:
Sergeant Goulding The desceased was in a melancholy disposition and had been drinking heavily prior to his death. Major Watson signed burial certificate

Sergeant Christopher Cameron

On October 18th I went to the No1 Australian General Hospital Heliopolis and saw a dead body which I identified as no 2861 Pte C McHutchison 8th Battalion AIF I am his section Corporal and last saw him alive at mid day on Saturday Oct 16th. He was in his usual spirits and I have never known him to drink.

Private Frank Fowler

I have known him for three months I was with him on Friday night and paid for a drink for him. He was quite sober. He stated that he had been drinking heavily. On board ship he ate alone and he told the informant that he did not want to be alone and felt nervous

Found having committed suicide with a razor

There is a Court of Enquiry
His brother received a plaque 13/3/23 Victory medal 7/2/23 and scroll on 30/9/21
His name was spelt wrong in a War Grave document and on headstone