Andrew Walker Cunningham
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Aug 1900 |
| Place of Birth | Newport, Scotland |
| Death | 22 Jan 1967, aged 66 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 39 years, 9 months |
| Occupation | Dairyman |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Mary Cunningham |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX4720 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Jun 1940 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 9th Australian Infantry Division Salvage Unit |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 3 Jan 1941 ‒ 12 Jan 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Aquitania Fremantle to Colombo, Ceylon |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 16 Jan 1941 ‒ 2 Feb 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Y3 Nevasa Colombo to El Kantara |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | Jul 1942 ‒ 28 Jul 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Rajula Egypt to Melbourne |
| Journey Dates | 11 Sep 1942 ‒ 14 Sep 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Félix Roussel Melbourne to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate |
Returned to Australia Discharged on Medical grounds |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Shipping records show Andrew departing London on 12 Apr 1923 for Fremantle aboard the SS Balranald, a 23 year old steel moulder from 10 Academy street, Armadale, Linlithgowshire, Scotland.
Electoral Roll entries: 1936 at 'Blaweary' Byford, dairy farmer
War Service
On enlistment he was allocated to General Reinforcements, and shortly after was granted convalescent leave from 10 - 16 Jul 1940. On 5 Sep 1940 he was transferred to the 8th Division Salvage company, and four days later was promoted Acting Corporal. In October the units name was changed to 9th Australian Infantry Division Salvage Unit. On 14 Nov 1940 this changed to Acting Sergeant prior to pre-embarkation leave which was from 23 Nov to 1 Dec 1940.
On 3 Jan 1941 he boarded the HMT Aquitania in Fremantle for Colombo in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), arriving there on 12 Jan 1941 where troops were transshipped from the Aquitania, Queen Mary and Mauretania into 13 smaller vessels. From Andrew's timeline it would appear that he was transshipped to the HMT Y3 Nevasa which sailed on 16 Jan 1941 and she landed her troops at Port Tewfik on 2 Feb 1941. They were then railed north to Kantara and then crossing the Canal into Palestine. On 27 Jan 1941 his rank of Sergeant was confirmed.
On 8 Aug 1941 Andrew was admitted to the 2/4th Australian General Hospital with abdominal pain, returning to his unit on 11 Aug 1941. On 17 Apr 1942 he was transferred to the Depot Battalion, as he was then classified as only fit for duties other than active service with a field formation. On 6 May 1942 he transferred to the AIF (Middle East) Services Training Regiment, and on 26 May 1942 he moved again, this time to the AIF (Middle East) Reinforcement Depot Staging Camp. On 28 Jul 1942 he disembarked from the HMT Rajula in the eastern states and then was transferred to WA on the SS Félix Roussel, arriving there on 14 Sep 1942. Soon after he was granted leave from 5 - 27 Oct 1942, and was discharged on his return to duty, 27 Oct 1942.
Post War
On 1 Feb 1951 Andrew (a dairy farmer) and Mary boarded the P & O Liner SS Strathnaver to return to Australia after a holiday in the UK. Their residential address there having been Cooks Buildings, Cairneyhill. On 3 Dec 1953 they boarded the P & O Liner Stratheden in London for Fremantle, having stayed at 37 Denfield drive, Cardenden. They arrived in Fremantle on 29 Dec 1953.
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 at 'Blaweary' Byford; 1958 - 1963 at Forrest road, Armadale, farmer; 1980 Martin road, Waterloo, farmer.
Notes