David Ure McGregor was born in Scotland in 1835. David and his brother Archibald had been travelling and gold mining together, following various gold rushes for a number of years. They had travelled and mined with their friends and partners Mr & Mrs Young.

The party had been gold mining on the lower flat or beach at the Kyeburn diggings. The McGregors lived in their own tents close to the Young's house. Mrs Young would cook, clean and wash for the brothers.

It appears that about this time David's brother Archibald married and then moved with his new wife, and David from Kyeburn.

The first reference to the McGregors living in Bannockburn was their listing in the Electoral Roll. It is not know at this time where the McGregors lived between 1867 and 1875. In 1875 both brothers were listed as living in Pipeclay Gully where they were mining for gold. It is not known the exact location of their dwellings.

Mr D U McGregor was a member of the Bannockburn Presbyterian Church committee and later conducted the choir in the church and Sunday school.

On 12 Sep 1884, David McGregor was appointed secretary of the committee formed to manage the Bannockburn Athenaeum - the first hall committee.

Mr D U McGregor, Adam Aitken and James horn were in high demand to sing at concerts in Bannockburn and Cromwell. Their favorite song was in three parts (McGregor) "A tall wife for me", (Horn) "A small wife for me" and (Aitken) "No wife for me". Digger minstrel concerts were very popular. The trio went home to Scotland for a holiday ? David McGregor had an excellent Tenor voice, and was a fine violinist and also taught the instrument along with the piano (although he did not play it). he also took part in many public affairs. He was president of the Bannockburn Athletic Club, the Football Club, a member of the Kawarau Licencing Trust, chairman of the Curling Club and secretary of the Progress Committee.

David was appointed secretary of the Bannockburn School committee, a position he held until 1889.

On 15 Nov 1887, David McGregor ran against Mr W R Parcell in the county elections. Mr Parcell won the seat.

David McGregor was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

The Cromwell Argus reported that a mining party of (Felix) Kerr, and (maybe David Ure) McGregor applied or a mining licence for a tail race in Target Gully.

David was president of the Bannockburn Football Club, a position he also held in 1894.

The Bannockburn Brass Band was formed with D U McGregor as the band master.

In 1894, on the death of John Menzies, Mr D U McGregor (and possibly his brother Archibald McGregor) purchased dwelling #140 and Menzies Dam (location #136) along with the water rights, from the estate of Mr Menzies. They operated Menzies Dam, selling water to the miners for sluicing. It appears that David McGregor moved from his Pipeclay Gully dwelling (location unknown) to dwelling #140. It appears that he also planted a small orchard at Stewart Town.

Around this time is seems that David McGregor moved to Doctors Flat and dwelling #68