George William Mc Vicar

The ninth child and third son of James and Janet was born 18/8/1867, registered at Amphitheatre. Described as a horse breaker, and his father as a miner, he married Sarah Elizabeth DeSerre 12/1/1892 at Geelong, the witnesses being Frederic DeSerre, the bride’s father, described as a miner, Freidrich DeSerre, the bride’s brother, Walter Scott, and Blanche Brown. Their children, all registered at Amphitheatre were

 Frederick Neil, 25/12/1893 -29/7/1972, a police officer.  It’s interesting to note that he is named after his grandfather Frederic DeSerre, and after his great grandfather Neil McVicar.  Fred gained the Military Medal at the Somme.  His daughter Jean tells that he had a plate in his head.  His jaw was broken and he had to have his teeth removed. His niece Gwen S. has a fine photo of him as a young man at a bush camp.

 Lylar Lillian Janet, 20/11/1897, Mrs Cullinan of Birchip, died 30/12/1987. Lil was a great letter writer and retainer of letters received, and family photos, as is her daughter, Gwen S. Much of this compilation has been sourced in their collection.

 George Alexander, born Amphitheatre, 12/3/1904, who transferred from Avoca School to Amphitheatre School January 1916. He applied to the Police Force on 13/6/1924, and who was police officer, no.7678.  George was burnt to death while working on a car at his home in Queensland on 3/12/1953.

 Kenneth James, born 25/2/1914, an Avoca farmer and contractor. He joined the RAAF, and was one of hundreds of Commonwealth airmen who were living at the King George & Queen Elizabeth Victoria League building in Malet Street, Holborn, London during the German Blitz in 1940-41.  On the night of 16-17 April 1941, a parachute bomb exploded above the building, killing or maiming many of the occupants. His body was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, UK.  The writer, Graham Greene, was on duty nearby as an air-raid warden, and wrote of the horror of the bombing which also hit eight hospitals and many churches.

 George had five titles of land in Yehrip parish, and three in Glenmona.  His wife had one title in Yehrip. George’s daughter, Lil Cullinan noted "my father took over the old home before I was born (1897) and moved to No. 1 Creek in about 1907”.  The  patient records for the Maryborough Hospital include " McVicar, Elizabeth, Date of Admission 10/5/1907, aged 36, home duties, a married Presbyterian of Amphitheatre.