McGregor, William, LVSc 1915, BVSc 1919
WILLIAM McGREGOR
William McGregor, MVS, a graduate in veterinary science from the University of Melbourne, died in Benalla on 5 October 1980, aged 93 years.
He had a particularly eventful life. As a 13 year-old lone piper he had played the bagpipes and led the children's dance at the Exhibition Grounds before the Duke and Duchess of York in 1901. His early education was spent at Cumloden School in St Kilda where he showed his aptitude for sport, obtaining the Champion Cup for running and culminating in his being selected as School Captain. While at the University of Melbourne he developed outstanding skills in cricket and football, being awarded a blue and a half-blue. He was University wicketkeeper in 1914 and was the last surviving member of the Australian cricket team, captained by Sir Arthur Sims, which toured New Zealand in 1914.
In October 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps as Captain and Commanding Officer of the 2nd Australian Mobile Veterinary Section.
He served in Egypt, Belgium and France (Battle of the Somme) and was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's dispatches.
Between World War I and II he was a keen amateur rider and huntsman. While riding at Sandown in a steeplechasing event his mount fell on him causing him serious injury, but despite his injury he later rode the winner of a flat race at Moonee Valley.
He became a well known grazier and benefactor in the Benalla district. In 1926 he bought the 1726 acre Tatong Estate and ran it for 41 years. During that time he was a Tatong Riding Councillor from 1935 until 1957 and was Shire President from 1938 to 1943.
At Tatong he ran a Corriedale stud but later changed to fattening cattle with improved pastures. His cattle often topped the Melbourne market and at one time did so nine consecutive times. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and son William, by a previous marriage, who lives in England.