Alec's childhood in rural New South Wales was one without privilege.  His widowed mother struggled to support her seven children and Alec was just twelve when he left home to live and work on a dairy farm.

Alec was sixteen when he enlisted in the army and sailed for Europe, accompanied by his best mate Bob Lauchland.  They went to the Great War with the promise of adventure and six shillings a day but discovered instead the hell of the Western Front.

Portrait taken at sixteen for Alec's mother before he left for the war. 

As a wireless operator with the Australian Flying Corps, Alec was seconded to Allied batteries the length and breadth of the front.  He participated in more battles than almost any other Australian soldier: Menin Road Ridge, polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Cambrai.  Alec survived the firestorm and made it home.  Bob was not so lucky.

 

Alec was the first person to design and build, for his own use, one of these "campervans".

With peace came the joy of raising a family with his Scottish war bride and the challenges of the Great Depression and another World War.  But Alec would not say die until he had fulfilled his vow to return to his mate's grave and say the 'goodbye' he never had the chance to say.

 

Alec and Effie, 5 November 1921

Alec was a man who gave heart to all those whose lives he touched.  His story lives on to inspire a new generation of Australians.