Fragments of the First AIF - L/Cpl Jack Stewart Sydney McCann

Episode one begins the series with the story of a very average Australian soldier from the First AIF. Jack McCann was a young man from South Australia who served with the 43rd Battalion and was killed at the Battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918. His service record reveals very little about who he was, but Jack's family history is littered with clues that help us to know more about him.

Episode 1: L/Cpl Jack Stewart Sydney McCann, 43rd Battalion

Sources:

• ‘Children’s Fancy Dress Carnival,’ Petersburg Times, 25 July 1905, p.2

• ‘General News,’ Petersburg Times & Northern Advertiser, 8 September 1908, p.2

• ‘Military Cross Won By Lieut CJ McCann,’ Port Adelaide News, 2 November 1917, p.4

• ‘Captain McCann won the Military Cross,’ Daily Herald, 25 September 1916, p.4

• AWM 28/1/93 pt. 2, Recommendation file for honours and awards, AIF, 1914-1918, 2nd Division, 18.9.1917 to 23.9.1917    

• ‘New Barristers,’ The Register, 27 July 1925, p.11

• Australian Dictionary of Biography

• ‘Died for their Country,’ Port Adelaide News, 18 October 1918, p.10

• Australian War Memorial