Flemington-Kensington Church News, July 1919

3395 - Pte  Rae. J. McNair, 6th Batt., sailed for Egypt on the 11th October 1915, and then on to Marseilles. He crossed France by rail to Bailleul, the journey taking 56 hours, and went into the lines at  Fleurbaix on 30th April, and afterwards held the line at Messines for a short period. He was in two "stunts" at Pozieres, which was taken on the 23rd July. After a spell he went in again on August 15th.

There is no room here to tell of the amazing fortitude, the undaunted valour, and the splendid discipline of the Australian troops in the battle, or series of battles of the  Somme. The 6th was all through this. On March 30th, 1918, the 1st Division (containing 6th Batt.) was at Wyscheate and hurried down the Somme to stop the Hun, who had broken through through the Fifth Army, but Fritz broke the line in the North and the division was promptly returned and  stopped him at Hazebrouck. 

The Australian Divisions were massed for the great push forward on 8th March. They advanced four miles on the 9th in  defiance of the resistance. On the 10th they again went forward and Rae fell wounded in the hip, but not seriously. After convalescence he was employed in garrison duty. Rae has had leave three times, and visited Edinburgh and Falkirk on each occasion. At the latter town he has relatives who received him warmly. He has just returned and we wish him a happy settlement in civilian life.