McCOLL, Robert Malcolm

McCOLL, Robert Malcolm – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 2197
RANK : Private
UNIT : 2nd Light Horse Regiment
ENLISTMENT DATE : 2/11/1915
AGE : 30
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Toowoomba, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Meridith, Victoria
RELIGION : Presbyterian
OCCUPATION : Farmer
DATE OF DEATH : 30/08/1947
PLACE OF BURIAL : Frankston, Victoria

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour, Goondiwindi War Memorial, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : McCOLL, Robert Malcolm

NOTES :  Robert and his brother Duncan Morrison McColl 1564, both served during the First World War. Their father Duncan McColl lived on the family property Argyle at Yelarbon.

While serving as a member of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, Robert was captured by the Turkish Army on the Gallipoli peninsula. Following is a signed account by Pte. W Alexander 1230 on what happened on the night of the capture.

I am a member of the B Troop, C Squadron. During the night of 3rd – 4th August we had been on outpost duty. Towards dawn the Turks forced us to retire. During the retirement I saw McColl running along on foot. I told McColl to hang on to my stirrup, and I would help him along. He kept alongside of me for some distance, and suddenly fell. The Turks were very close, and I kept on. That was the last I saw of him. The rifle fire was very heavy.

Taken as a prisoner of war, Robert spent some time in the San Stefano prisoner of war (POW) camp.

In September 1916, a letter was sent to Senator Pearce from Duncan McColl, father of Robert, requesting any information on the whereabouts of Robert.

In a letter sent from Ismidt near Constantinople, dated 29 October 1916, Robert wrote to the High Commissioner for Australia, London, England with the following request:

Dear Sir,
Cpl. EASTON of Australian Light Horse Regiment wrote to you last week. I am writing again in case his letter has not reached you, to ask you to be good enough to send us some warm clothing such as overcoats, blankets, boots ext., as well as some money, as we are pennliness [sic].

I am, Sir
Very respectfully
No. 2197Tpr. R. M. McColl
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment
Prisoner of War N. 1215
Ismidt, Near Constantinople

It is noted on this letter by the Commission, that there was no trace of the letter from Cpl. Easton, it was never received and a memo was to be sent to Red Cross & Administration Headquarters dated 30 November 1916.

Robert Malcolm McCall was repatriated from Turkey to England and arrived on 8 December 1918 and from here he returned home to Australia. Annie Pearl Wotton married Robert on 11 January 1928. It is believed the couple did not have any children.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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