Veteran Story: Jack McAlister (1895-1962) was born in Charters Towers to Maggie McAlister and was working as a stockman when he volunteered in July 1917. After training at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera with fellow Indigenous recruits Tommy Purcell and Norman Baird, he embarked for overseas in October with the 26th Reinforcements for the 9th Infantry Battalion. They joined their unit in France in May 1918, south of Strazeele, in northern France. McAlister remained with his unit until becoming ill in September 1918, suffering from myalgia or trench fever he was treated at the 2nd General Hospital, Le Havre and returned to his battalion four weeks later. After the war, he applied for and was granted exemption from the 'Protection of Aboriginals Act' in 1920, at the time he was working in the Carpentaria region. In 1958 he wrote to the authorities from Cairns to request the issue of his service medals, which he received.
