The Soldier's Details

Surname:
McCaffrey
First Name:
Francis Gerald
Nick Name:
Butch
Rank:
Lieutenant
Regimental #:
WX3440
Company:
'A' Company HQ
Enlisted:
1.03.1937
Discharged:
2.05.1949
DOB:
23.09.1918
Place of Birth:
Albert Park, Victoria
Father's Name:
John Francis McCaffrey
Mothers's Name:
Marcella Mary Brannigan
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Pre-war Occupation:
Regular Soldier
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
'A' Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3. Burma
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Kanchanaburi, Bangkok
Camps Burma:
Victoria Point, Kendau 4.8km,m Thetkaw 14 km, Meiloe 75km, Aungganaung 75 km, Khonkan 55km
POW#:
3440
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Tamaroa.

General Description

McCaffery was promoted to Captain Australian Staff Corps on 14/4/1947.
He attended the Japanese War Crimes Trials at Rabaul from 30/4/1946 – 21/6/1946.
His appointment was terminated on 25/5/1949, ‘D’ Class medically unfit.
He was appointed 2 I/C of ‘A’ Company 2/4th MG Btn on the appointment of Major Saggers to the Special Reserve Battalion.
Please read further of the men of A Coy No. 4 Platoon
McCaffrey left Singapore with the first work party ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma end of the railway.  Please read further
It was at Victoria Point Aerodrome where Pte Robert Goulden was executed by the Japanese for attempting to escape.  McCaffery was one of three officers from 2/4th who were witnesses.
McCaffrey was in the 2/4th Football team in Northam. Please read further

 

McCaffrey of the Rifles
‘McCaffrey of the Rifles’

 

BANGKOK, THAILAND. 1945-09. FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR, HAVING BEEN ISSUED WITH NEW UNIFORMS, WAIT AT THE RECEPTION CAMP AT THE LAW UNIVERSITY FOR EVACUATION TO AUSTRALIA. LIEUTENANTS F. X. MCCAFFREY, 2/4TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION, SPEAKING ON THE TELEPHONE AND A.A. MITCHELL, 2/2ND PIONEER BATTALION. (DONOR C. MITCHELL)
BANGKOK, THAILAND. 1945-09. FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR, HAVING BEEN ISSUED WITH NEW UNIFORMS, WAIT AT THE RECEPTION CAMP AT THE LAW UNIVERSITY FOR EVACUATION TO AUSTRALIA. LIEUTENANTS F. X. MCCAFFREY, 2/4TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION, SPEAKING ON THE TELEPHONE AND A.A. MITCHELL, 2/2ND PIONEER BATTALION. (DONOR C. MITCHELL)
Below:  POWs would mention names of mates when writing home, believing if by luck their mail was successful – then their family would notify the families of men mentioned.

Thomas mentioned McCaffrey as being in Burma with him.

 

 

 

 

Following the end of war, McCaffrey returned to NSW.  He married Monica Helen Bourke.  Very little is known of Frank and his life thereafter.

Frank had five brothers and one sister.

His father died in 1944, Prahan, Victoria. His mother died 1967, Heathmont, Victoria.

 

Frank McCaffrey died 5 April 1989 in NSW.  He was last residing at MacQuarie Fields, NSW.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
  • Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
  • Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
  • Bangkok - Thailand
  • Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
  • Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
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