From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleThe New Testament Bible of Brigadier General Sir Walter Ramsay McNicoll, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO, VD
About this objectThis New Testament Bible was originally owned by Brigadier General Sir Walter Ramsay McNicoll, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO, VD.
These bibles were given out to soldiers leaving Melbourne for service in World War One by The British & Foreign Bible Society Victoria.
The inscription beside a drawing of a soldier read:
"To the Members of the Victorian Contingent of the Australian Imperial Force
Volunteering for Service in Defence of the British Empire."
It contains a line for soldiers to sign their name, as well as listing the secretaries of the Bible society; J.B. Gason and Fred. G. Barley.
The bible is dated to 1912; however it was presented to Brigadier General Sir Walter Ramsay McNicoll, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO, VD in August 1914. This was his first enlistment when he held the rank of Major.
An inscription inside the front cover states that the bible was:
"carried during Gallipoli campaign from August 1914 to May 1916
W. Ramsay McNicoll Major
7th Batt. 2nd Inf. Bde.
Aust. Imperial Force.
The donor advised that he then moved with his family to Goulburn where he was appointed in 1920-21 as first headmaster of Goulburn Presbyterian Ladies College. The school doesn't exist now. Hence his association with Goulburn. He was also involved in the development of the Rocky Hill Memorial in the early 1920's.
MakerThe University Press Oxford
Maker RolePrinter
Date Made1912
Period1914-1918
Place MadeLondon
Place Notes146, Queen Victoria Street
Medium and MaterialsPaper with gold gilded edges.
Thin cardboard end covers
Dark brown leather cover
Style and IconographyPrinted
Inscription and MarksSpine is marked with false rope binding and inscribed with New Testament in gold lettering.
TechniquePrinting
MeasurementsH: 96mm
W:66mm
D:18mm
Subject and Association KeywordsBrigadier General Sir Walter Ramsay McNicoll, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO, VD
Subject and Association KeywordsAustralian Imperial Force (AIF)
Subject and Association KeywordsThe Great War
Subject and Association KeywordsBible Society
Subject and Association KeywordsBible
Subject and Association KeywordsFaith
Subject and Association DescriptionWalter Ramsay McNicoll has 2 entries in the aif.adfa.edu.au website -
No1.
Walter Ramsay NcNicoll was born 27 May 1877, his religion was Presbyterian, his occupation was a School teacher and he was married, living at Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria.
His next of kin was his wife, Mrs McNicoll of the same address.
He was aged 49 when he enlisted in the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces on 28 August 1914, his rank on enlistment was Brigadier General. His unit was 10th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and they embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board A11 Ascanius on 27 May 1916.
His Rank from the Nominal Roll was Lieutenant-Colonel and his Unit from the Nominal Roll was 7th Battalion.
He was promoted to COL (temporary BGEN). Unit: 10th Infantry Brigade. Promotion date: 10 February 1916.
Promotion date: 1 May 1916.
He returned to Australia 29 September 1918.
No. 2.
Walter Ramsay McNicoll was born 27 May 1877. His religion was Presbyterian and his occupation was a Headmaster at Geelong High
School . His address was Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria and he was married aged 37 at embarkation. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs Hilda V. McNicoll, Geelong, Victoria when he enlisted in the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces on 28 August 1914. His Rank on Enlistment was Major and his unit was 7th Battalion, Headquarters and they embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board transport A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914.
His rank from Nominal Roll was Lietenant-Colonel and his unit was 7th Battalion.
He was Mention in Despatches-
Awarded and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement No 30107 (1 June 1917); Commonwealth Gazette No. 169 (4 October 1917). Recommendation date: 25 April 1915.
DSO
Recommendation date: Undated. Refers 25 April 1915
Brevet Colonel
Recommendation date: 6 October 1918
DSO
Recommendation date: Refers 25-26 April 1915.
Commander of the Order of St Michael & St George
Recommendation date: 5 October 1917
Commander of the Bath
Recommendation date: September 1918.
Croix de Guerre (Belgium).
Recommendation date: 16 October 1918
Mention in Despatches.
Awarded and Promulgated, 'London Gazette' second Supplement No. 29251 (5 August 1915); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133 (28 October 1915). Recommended for a second MID 6 March 1918: awarded, and promulgated 'London Gazette' second supplement, 1 June 1917; Commonwealth Gazette' 4 October 1917. Recommended for a third MID, 30 September 1918: awarded and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement No. 30448, 28 December 1917; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57, 18 April 1918. Awarded a fourth MID, and promulgated 'London Gazette; No. 30706, 28 May 1918; 'Commonwealth Gazette', No. 165, 24 October 1918. Awarded a fifth MID; Awarded, and promulgated , 'London Gazette No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).
Returned to Australia 29 September 1918.
Distinguished Service Order - 'On the night of 25-26 April 1915, during operations near Gaba Tepe, for repeatedly exhibiting great gallantry and skill in the command of his battalion.'
Source: London Gazette, No. Supplement.
Date 3 July 1915
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 91
Date 23 July 1919.
CB
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 61
Date 23 May 1919.
CB
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919.
CMG
Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 57
Date: 18 April 1918
War Service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front.
Commanded 10th Infantry Brigade, 1916-18.
"On the night
Commander of the Bath
Recommendation date: September 1918.
Croix de Guerre
Object TypeEphemera
Object number2025.1001
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
