McCredden Brothers - A Family’s Extraordinary Contribution
William John McCredden was born in Terang, Victoria in 1863 and Margaret Ann Wylie was born in 1858 in Mokey Gully, near Linton, Victoria. William and Margaret married in 1886 in St Arnaud and established their farming life at Reedy Dam following short stays at Donald and Corack.
Together they raised and educated twelve children at Reedy Dam
John Joseph McCredden 1880-1917
Percival Robert McCredden 1888-1967
Thomas William McCredden 1888-1973
Albert Richard McCredden 1890-1915
Ernest James McCredden 1891-1918
Hugh Harold McCredden 1892-1956
Arthur Peter McCredden 1893-1958
Edward Fredrick McCredden 1894-1971
Margaret Myrtle Elizabeth McCredden 1896-1886
Francis Henry McCredden 1898-1950
Stanley Gilbert McCredden 1899-1980
Archibald Lionel McCredden 1901-1972
Like many pioneering families they worked hard to establish their farm and raise their children with resilience and a deep sense of responsibility. The children were educated at Reedy Dam State School a short distance from the family home. Later some attended school in Birchip, travelling to and home in the back of a truck. The boys grew into capable young men shaped by rural life, accustomed to physical labour, loyalty and a strong connection to community.
When the call to serve came in 1914 nine sons volunteered for service, five were formally attested into the Australian Imperial Force. Three would never return home.
Back: Albert, Ernest, Jack, Percy, Tom
Middle: Hughie, Margaret, Myrtle, William, Archibald, Arthur
Front: Archibald, Frank, Stan & Ed (seated)
Private Albert Richard McCredden
Among the first to answer the call was Private Albert Richard McCredden, Service Number 290, who enlisted in 1914 as a Boundary Rider from Birchip.
He embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT Ulysses with the 13th Infantry Battalion, C Company AIF, December 22nd 1914.
Albert was 25 years old when he was killed in action on August 9th 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign. Like so many who fell in the brutality of war he has no known grave. He is remembered on The Lone Pine Memorial, Panel 38, Gallipoli. The memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive.
Private John Joseph McCredden
John, known as Jack, was the eldest of the twelve siblings and was working as stockman in Charleville Queensland, when he enlisted in the AIF on March 25th 1916. He joined the 42nd Infantry Battalion, known as “The Australian Black Watch” and left Brisbane on September 7th 1916 on board HMAT Clan MacGillivray with the 3rd reinforcements to the 42nd Infantry Battalion, AIF.
He disembarked at Plymouth on November 2nd 1916 and was taken to the 11th Training Battalion at Wiltshire. He then joined his battalion in France on February 4th 1917. He was killed in action July 31st 1917 during an attack on German positions on the Warrenton line east of Messines. He was aged 36. His body was not recovered and his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial at Iper.
Gunner Earnest James McCredden
Earnest farmed at Reedy Dam and enlisted April 14th 1915. Gunner Earnest James McCredden, Service Number 2278, service was varied and committed: he initially served as a Military Policeman at Broadmeadows and Seymour. He then moved as a Provost Seargent at the Commonwealth Detention Barracks in Bendigo, before joining the 13th Light Horse Regiment as a Trooper.
Earnest embarked on HMAS Ascanius in May 1917 and was in France when he transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner on the Western Front.
On 23rd June 1918, aged 28, Edward was killed in action in France.
Unlike his brothers Albert and John, Ernest was laid to rest in a known grave. He was buried in support trenches in front of Meteren Military Cemetery in Nor Pas de Calais, France. A quiet resting place far from the Mallee soil.
His name is recorded on Panel 17 of the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
Private Edward Fredrick McCredden
Edward Frederick McCredden, Service Number 2278, enlisted on April 14th 1915. He served with the 8th Battalion Reinforcements and later with the 12th Field Artillery Brigade. He survived the war and returned to Australia, carrying with him both the weight of experience and loss.
Private Arthur Peter McCredden
Arthur Peter McCredden enlisted on 11th December 1914 and he also served in the AIF. His willingness to serve reflected the same deep sense of duty shared by his brothers.
Private Edward Fredrick McCredden & Private Arthur Peter McCredden
A Family’s Legacy
More than a century later their service continues to be remembered – not only in the distant memorials in Turkey, Belgium and France, but in the Mallee where their journey began.
Their story is testament to courage, devotion and enduring sacrifice.
Brothers Who Gave Their Lives
Private Albert Richard McCredden
Service Number: 290
Unit: 13th Infantry Battalion C Company AIF No290
Enlisted: 1914
Embarked: The Unit embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT Ulysses on
22 December 1914.
Killed in action: 9 August 1915 (aged 25)
Campaign: Gallipoli
Albert enlisted from Birchip in late 1914, working as a boundary rider. He served with the 13th Battalion during the Gallipoli Campaign and was killed in action.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.
His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
Private John “Jack” McCredden
Service Number: 2105
Unit: 42nd Infantry Battalion, AIF
Enlisted: 25 March 1916
Embarked: Brisbane on HMAT Clan McGillivray
Killed in action: 31 July 1917 (aged 36)
Place of death: Messines, Belgium
Campaign: Western Front
John, the eldest brother, was working as a stockman in Queensland when he enlisted. He served with the 42nd Battalion — known as the “Australian Black Watch.”
He was killed during fighting near Messines and has no known grave.
He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres and on the Roll of Honour in Canberra.
Gunner Ernest James McCredden
Service Number: 2278
Units: 13th Light Horse Regiment; later 12th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF
Enlisted: 14 April 1915
Killed in action: 23 June 1918 (aged 28)
Place of death: France
Ernest initially served in Victoria before transferring to the Light Horse and later to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade on the Western Front.
He was killed in action in France in 1918 and is buried at Meteren Military Cemetery. His name is recorded on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and on local district memorials.
