In memoriam
Alec Frank MacKeldenAM · MC
1922 – 2008 · Richmond, London to the Gold Coast, Queensland
“It has been a quite wonderful day.”— Alec MacKelden, 1996
Alec Frank MacKelden was born in Richmond, Surrey in 1922 and passed away on the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2008.
In between, he lived an extraordinary life.
He was awarded the Military Cross – one of Britain's highest awards for bravery in battle – for heroism during the Italian Campaign of World War II, and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community.
He was a pioneering food industry executive who introduced the tea bag to Australia, a philanthropist who transformed skin cancer treatment, and above all, a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
This website is the story of his life, told through his own words, official records, and the memories of those who loved him.
The Chapters
Four lives in one
“I entered this world with nothing — and will leave it in the same state. I have lived through a period of enormous change — probably the most rapid changes the world has ever seen.”— Alec MacKelden, from his memoirs, 1987
Key Dates
1922
Born in Richmond, Surrey, England
1939
Enlisted in the British Army, age 17
1943
Commissioned as Lieutenant, The Buffs
1944
Anzio beachhead, Italy — wounded in action
1945
Military Cross awarded for gallantry at Lake Comacchio
1946
Demobilised after 6¾ years of service
1955
Emigrated to Australia with family
1959
Introduced the tea bag to Australia (Lipton)
1962
Appointed Managing Director, Cerebos Australia
1984
Appointed Chairman, NSW Egg Corporation; appointed Director, Steamships Trading Company Limited, Papua New Guinea
1985
Joined Board, Skin and Cancer Foundation of Australia
1989
Retired from Steamships Trading Company board, aged 67 — completing 25 years of continuous senior executive and board-level roles
1995
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM); retired as Chairman of the Skin and Cancer Foundation of Australia, aged 73 — the conclusion of a remarkable life in public service
2008
Passed Away, Gold Coast, Queensland, aged 86
1922
Born in Richmond, Surrey, England
1939
Enlisted in the British Army, age 17
1943
Commissioned as Lieutenant, The Buffs
1944
Anzio beachhead, Italy — wounded in action
1945
Military Cross awarded for gallantry at Lake Comacchio
1946
Demobilised after 6¾ years of service
1955
Emigrated to Australia with family
1959
Introduced the tea bag to Australia (Lipton)
1962
Appointed Managing Director, Cerebos Australia
1984
Appointed Chairman, NSW Egg Corporation; appointed Director, Steamships Trading Company Limited, Papua New Guinea
1985
Joined Board, Skin and Cancer Foundation of Australia
1989
Retired from Steamships Trading Company board, aged 67 — completing 25 years of continuous senior executive and board-level roles
1995
Awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM); retired as Chairman of the Skin and Cancer Foundation of Australia, aged 73 — the conclusion of a remarkable life in public service
2008
Passed Away, Gold Coast, Queensland, aged 86