Arthur Edward Cann
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Aug 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 20 Oct 1969 |
| Place of Death | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 5 months |
| Occupation | Wire worker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Marmion street, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Walter Charles Cann |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W54559 & WX40149 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 Jul 1943 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd Australian Port Construction Company, RAE |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Apr 1945 ‒ 22 Apr 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Ray Brisbane to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 1 Jun 1956 ‒ 5 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | USS LST 743 Morotai to North Borneo |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Feb 1946 ‒ 12 Feb 1946 |
| Transport Details | unknown Labuan to Morotai |
| Journey Dates | 21 Jun 1946 ‒ 21 Jun 1946 |
| Transport Details | plane Morotai to Darwin |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Arthur was initially mobilised on 5 Feb 1942, with Army Number W54559, allocated to the 22nd Army Field Company on Rottnest. He was called up for full time service on 20 Mar 1942. On 27 Apr 1942 Arthur was admitted to 39th Australian Camp Hospital on Rottnest, for an unknown duration before returning to his unit. He was again admitted to the Camp Hospital on 21 Jun 1942, returning to his unit on 2 Jul 1942.
Arthur was AWOL from 11:00pm on 27 Mar 1943 until 10:00pm on 30 Mar 1943. He was fined £3 and forfeited 3 day's pay. On 15 May 1943 Arthur was sent on a Driver Operators cource at 3rd Australian Corps Signals Training Centre, rejoining his unit on 5 Jun 1943. Arthur then enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 16 Jul 1943 with a new Army Number of WX40149. he was then detached to the 3rd Australian Corps Training Centre on 23 Sep 1943. rejoining his unit on 13 Oct 1943.
On 22 Apr 1944 Arthur entrained in Perth for New South Wales where on 3 Jul 1944 he transferred to the 2nd Australian Port Construction Company. On 20 Dec 1944 Arthur was charged with having, "While on Active Service (WOAS), without reasonable excuse, allowing to escape a person committed to his charge." He was fined £1 when the case was heard on 4 Jan 1945.
Arthur embarked in Brisbane aboard USAT Sea Ray on 11 Apr 1945 for Morotai, where he disembarked on 22 Apr 1945. At Morotai on 22 Apr 1945 he was admitted to the 2/5th Australian General Hospital with acute bronchitis, returning to duty on 26 Apr 1945. on 1 Jun 1945 Arthur embarked on USS LST 743 at Morotai for British North Borneo where he disembarked on 5 Jun 1945. On 13 Nov 1945 Arthur was transferred to the 4th Australian Army Troops Company, and then on 26 November to 60th Australian Corps Field Park Company. On 9 Feb 1946 Arthur trnsferred to a holding unit at Labuan before returning to Morotai in June 1946. On 21 Jun 1946 Arthur emplaned at Morotai for Darwin where he deplaned the same day. He had been ransferred on 13 Jun 1946 to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Discharge Section, where he was discharged on 5 Jul 1946.
Post War
Married Olive Ada Jurd (1917 - ) in North Sydney on 6 Jul 1949. Son Gordon Robert born in 1951, died 1993. Married Rita Edith Mary Cunningham in 1964 although Rita appears on the Electoral Roll for 1963. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Marmion street, Kelmscott, wire worker; 1954 - 1968 Sixth avenue Kelmscott, labourer.
Notes