Legacy beneficiary gives back

In the aftermath of a long and devastating World War 2 campaign, the scars left on soldiers like Lieutenant Aaron McCready’s grandfather, Corporal Mervyn McCready, were considerable.

CAPTION: Lieutenant Aaron McCready with his sister, Flying Officer Nadine Muller, and their nephew, Madden Muller (wearing his great-grandfather Corporal Mervyn McCready’s medals). Story by Captain Catherine Batch. Photo by Callum Smith.

Corporal McCready served in North Africa, Greece and the Middle East. He was captured in Indonesia and interned at Changi prisoner of war camp, where he was put to work building the Thai-Burma railroad.

Corporal McCready died 10 years after returning from active duty.

Legacy was established in the aftermath of World War 1 to help people like Lieutenant McCready’s grandmother raise her young family.

Fast forward to this year’s Legacy Centenary Torch Relay and it is the McCready family who are now giving back to the charity that helped them through a very difficult time.

A Legacy top 10 fundraiser, Lieutenant McCready was selected as a torch bearer and had his sister, Airforce Flying Officer Nadine Muller, and his 11th Brigade comrades from the 9th Royal Queensland Regiment by his side during the event on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

“If it wasn’t for Legacy helping my grandmother then, in turn, my dad, my life today would be very different. So much was our gratitude, both my sister and I wanted to serve,” Lieutenant McCready said.

And it wasn’t just financial assistance Legacy offered, he said, it was also the little acts of kindness.

“The very same men who served next to my grandfather were the same men who were my grandmother’s and my dad’s legatees. They would take my dad to the footy and talk to him about his Dad’s bravery,” Lieutenant McCready said.

Fellow Legacy Sunshine Coast Legatee and veteran Brett Green was thrilled with the way Lieutenant McCready had supported the charity.

“We are really lucky to have great people like Lieutenant McCready working with us, not just fundraising but helping war widows in our community,” Mr Green said.

“It is people like him who ensure Legacy can continue to support the families of deceased and incapacitated veterans through bereavement and enable them to thrive despite their adversity and loss.”

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