McLELLAND, Roy, Rev, B.A., Dr (1899-1951)
Assembly memorial minute, 1952
Roy McLelland was born at Toongabbie, Victoria, on 23rd September, 1899. He entered the Home Mission Service of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria, and in 1931 was admitted to the Theological Hall at Ormond College. On completing his exit year in 1933, he accepted a Home Mission Committee appointment to Dartmoor.
The following year, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Hamilton and inducted as Missionary to the Mapoon Aboriginal Mission, on the 26th November, 1934. After five years as Superintendent at Mapoon, he was called to Charlton in 1940. He resigned this pastorate on the 24th February, 1943, to accept a chaplaincy in the second A.I.F., and was on active service in the south-west Pacific, as well as with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan. Upon being discharged in 1948, he was called to Darlington-Derrinallum, where he was inducted on the 29th June, 1948. He resigned this charge in 1950, to accept again an office as chaplain and was stationed at Ingleburn, N.S.W. While there, he became ill and an operation revealed a disease that ultimately led to his decease.
Roy McLelland was a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. Well aware of the inevitable end, he endured with cheerful courage and Christian fortitude. He never regarded himself as a great preacher, but, being convinced of a call to the Christian ministry, in word and in deed he expressed faithfully the Gospel by his humanity and obvious sincerity. He never lost the common touch and was at home among men. Among his parishioners, in congregation, in the Army and in camp he won the high esteem of all. Independent in his thinking he was frank and friendly.
He passed away at the Heidelberg Military Hospital, on Thursday, 16th August, 1951.
To Mrs. McLelland, her daughter and son, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male