McKAY, Charles James VETERAN

Name – McKAY, Charles James VETERAN
Born – 27/01/1893
Died – 21/01/1960
Location – No 45 Presbyterian Section
Mother – Jane Martin
Father – Donald McKay

Notes – Charles James McKay was born to Jane and Donald McKay in 1893. His siblings were William Alexander (1886), John Thomas (1887), Jane (1890), Jessie (1896), George (1898), Alexander (1901).

On his service records he lists his place of birth as Kerang, Victoria. Charles had moved to Queensland and was living in the Tara district when he enlisted in the AIF during WWI at Dalby in 1915, joining the 4th Light Horse.

He rose from the rank of Private in January 1915 to the rank of Lieuntant by the time of his discharge in 1918 at the end of the war. During his service, he was attached to the Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron. He served in Gallopolli, Syria and Palestine. His borther John Thomas McKay also served during the First World War.

He married Sarah Jane Hird on the 19th December, 1922. They were known to have had at least five children named Marjory Jean, Robert James, Margaret Joan, Heather Jean and Dorothy Margaret.

Charles was a very well respected man in the Tara area and he continued to support the Services by being the Chairman for the Diggers Ball in 1946. Then speaking at the Anzac Day Service in 1954, drawing attention to the great work done by Legacy. He was also a member of Tara Council in the late 1940s.

To my knowledge he remained at the same property that he owned from 1925 until his death in 1960. His wife Sarah, died in December the same year.

He shares a headstone with his wife which reads – In Loving Memory of Charles James McKay. Died January, 21st, 1960 Aged 66 Years.

Newspaper Article –

War Service File  – MCKAY, Charles James

Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.