Dan ‘Eric’ Mactaggart was the son of Mactaggart Bros. Ltd. founder Dan Mactaggart, younger brother of Walter Mactaggart and father of Doug Mactaggart.
He was born in Brisbane on 17 July 1896. He attended the Brisbane Grammar School from 1910 till 1912 where he had received military training in the Senior Cadet Corps. He furthered his education at Scotch College, Melbourne where he took a keen interest in rowing and served in the Melbourne University Rifles.
Upon returning to Queensland he took up a job as a jackeroo on ‘Bundooma’ station, on the Burnett River.
Military Service
On the 4th August 1916, aged 20 Dan enlisted with the AIF with rank of Gunner. His occupation was listed as “stockman’. His mother Mrs F R Mactaggart was listed as his next of kin and his address was his parent’s house at Markwill Street, Hamilton, Brisbane, Queensland.
Gunner Dan Eric Mactaggart, Regimental Number 31905, joined the 9th Field Artillery Brigade Reinforcements, embarking from Sydney on RMS Osterley on 10 February 1917 and disembarking at Plymouth on 11 April.
He proceeded overseas to the Western Front where he was engaged in heavy battle at Ypres, Menin Road, Passchendaele, and Zonnebeke. He was forced to receive hospital treatment however in England over a period of three months because of the effects of shell gas.
He was transferred in July 1918 to the Australian Flying Corps and gained commission as Lieutenant. He was based at depots in England over ensuing months. His appointment was terminated soon after his return to Australia per Prinz Ludwig in October 1919.
You can read his full military record here.
Work Career
Upon returning to Australia Eric Mactaggart joined the family business. After Mactagarts Bros Ltd was made into a co-operative association (year unknown) Eric succeeded Mr. Stanley Chapman as managing director, a post which he retained until his death on 2nd July 1956 at the young age of 59.
Eric Mactaggart, served as president of the Fat Stock and Produce Brokers’ Association from 1945 until his death (14 years).
He was also Chairman of Rylance Collieries and Brick Works.
He had a keen interest in the production side of the industry, and one of his principal hobbies was developing his grazing property, Cowah, at Kilcoy, to which he hoped to retire.
Family
On 3 February 1925 at St James Church, King Street, Sydney, Eric Mactaggart married Maisie Eileen Rylance of Vaucluse. Vicar General Archdeacon D’Arcy Irvine officiated. They made their home in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra.
They had a daughter, and one son, Doug Mactaggart. Mrs Mactaggart died in 1982.
* Last updated 01/02/2021
If you have more to add to Dan Mactaggarts profile / history please post it to the Primac Gurus group.
Source: Obituaries Australia, UNSW AIF Project, St Andrews Uniting Church Heritage Project
