Roderick McCaskill
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1 Nov 1895 |
| Place of Birth | Pullenvale, Queensland |
| Death | 23 Jun 1986, aged 90 |
| Place of Death | Glendalough, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 Yeas, 11 months |
| Description | 6½" (1.69m) tall; weight 123 lbs (55.8 kg); dark complexion, grey eyes, dark hair |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Pickering Brook, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Roderick McCaskill |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1902 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Oct 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcements, transferred to 4th Division Artillery Column, then 12th Field Artillery Brigade. |
| Date of Embarkation | 17 Jan 1916 - 9 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A30 Borda |
| Date of Return | 16 Jan 1919 - 22 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A64 Demosthenes |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Following basic training he was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment, and travelled with them to Egypt.
Soon after arriving in Egypt he was caught up in the Army restructure and was transferred to 4th Division Artillery in Heliopolis. In Apr 1916, he joined the 4th Division Ammunition Column that was training at Serapeum.
He proceeded on the SS Oriana from Alexandria to Marseilles 6 - 13 Jun 1916, and soon after arrival in France his temporary Driver status was confirmed when he was transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade.
In Nov 1917 he spent 3 weeks away from his unit in hospital. On 24 Sep 1918 he was granted leave in the UK, and soon after its completion he reported to the 6th General Hospital in Rouen with boils (Illness reported on Casualty List 450), and was sent back to the UK on the HMHS Gloucester Castle, and was one of the first sent home.
Discharged 5th Military District 12 Apr 1919.
Post War
In 1930 Rod married Zelma Donovan. Zelma died 15 Dec 1973 in Glendalough.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 Roderick junior was a timber worker living in Karragullen; 1934 - 1936 they are at Barton's Mill, Pickering Brook and by 1943 they have moved to Jarrahwood (mill hand). In 1949 - 54 they are in Augusta with Rod working as a labourer, and by 1958 they have moved again to 96 Canning Highway, South Perth, before living at 24 Henry street, Subiaco between 1963 - 68. In 1972 they are living with the Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough.
Served in the CMF during WW2 with Reg No W86067.
Notes