The Soldier's Details

Surname:
McCann
First Name:
Robert
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX8435
Classification:
Driver
Company:
Attached 2/4th, 88 Light Aid Detachment
Enlisted:
18.10.1940
DOB:
24.12.1904
Place of Birth:
Moora, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Arthur James McCann
Mothers's Name:
Margaret Ann McCann (nee Bayliss)
Religion:
Church of Christ
Pre-war Occupation:
Stationhand
Memorial:
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Plot A5, Row G, Grave 8, Age 35.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
'F' Force Thailand
POW#:
4/6360
Cause of Death:
Beri-Beri
Place of Death:
Kami Sonkurai
Date of Death:
23.11.1943
Buried:
Grave No. 464, Kami Sonkurai

General Description

 

Robert McCann was youngest child of parents Arthur James McCann and Margaret Bayliss who married Moore
River 1902.  Robert had two older brothers and a sister.
In 1931 Electoral Roll McCann was residing Walebing Rd, Moora working as a contractor.
In 1934, 1936 and 1937 McCann was residing at ‘Bellaranga’  Moora, working as farmhand.  With him was older brother John William (believed to be known as Jack) who was employed as overseer.
It is believed Bob moved to Perth after this time.
He enlisted AIF Oct 1940 and later trained with 88th Light Aid Detachment as driver attached to 2/4th MGB.
As a POW at Singapore he left with ‘F’ Force Thailand to work on the Burma-Thai Railway.  Please read about F Force.
McCann tragically died Kami Sankurai Camp 23 Nov 1943 of beri beri aged 35.  The Camp would have been inundated with ill and probably too ill to be evacuated (to Tambaya hospital Camp, Burma) although conditions would not have been much improved.
His parents had died by the time McCann enlisted, his mother at Moora 1931 and his father 1932.

 

Bob McCann’s name is not included on any Moora’s listings for AIF WW2 – which is very sad as he spent most of his life in the region, as did his parents, two older brothers and one sister.
We have been unable to locate death notices from any siblings or any McCann family.

 

Above:  death notice from Bob’s mates from training days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kami Songkurai, 299k - Thailand
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