Gassed gunner soldiered on
When World War I gunner Robert Wallace McKie returned to WA after his service things had changed.
His father George had sold the family's Wheatbelt farm and Robert's health was poor.
But as was the way during that era, Robert soldiered on. He walked from Cunderdin to Bruce Rock to buy land and set up his own farm.
Robert McKie was born in Victoria but moved with his parents to Cunderdin, where his father ran McKie's store as well as the farm.
In April 1916, Robert enlisted at age 26, giving his occupation as labourer. He completed early training at Blackboy Hill, Greenmount, and was sent to Victoria for more instruction.
He sailed for the war raging in France and Belgium in October that year aboard Ulysses as a member of the field artillery.
His war records, held by the National Archives, show that in November 1917 his family were sent a brief telegram: "Reported gunner Robert McKie gassed will advise anything further."
And then in December another telegram was sent to Cunderdin: "Now reported gunner Robert McKie admitted Exeter war hospital England effects of shell gas poisoning gunshot wound right thigh."
He had been sent to England for treatment, and in January 1918 also fell ill with influenza.
After recovering, he was sent back into action and did not return to Australia until June 1919.
Robert's son, George, of Sorrento, said that despite ill health his father "just got on with life".
Robert met and married a governess, Blanche, and had five children.
George McKie said his father never spoke of his wartime experiences, but attended Anzac Day services and marched when he could. "That would be the only time he had a couple of beers," George McKie said.
"But he was never a well man."
Robert McKie farmed wheat and sheep at Bruce Rock for 14 years but in the end it got too much. He sold up to work for a farm machinery company in the Wheatbelt. George McKie said that as well as the health problems caused by the gas, his father also suffered from shell shock.
"If a door slammed in the house, he would faint," Mr McKie said. "My mother and myself would drag him to the bed and he would come to."
Despite his health problems, Robert McKie was part of the Voluntary Defence Force at Monument Hill during World War II.
He died in 1963 aged 73.
