MCCAW, George Harkness
| Service Number: | 2855 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 67th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 6 January 1892 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 October 1939, aged 47 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2855 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 39th Infantry Battalion | |
| 29 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 2855, 39th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 2855, 39th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Persic, Fremantle | |
| 28 Apr 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, 67th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 28 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2855, Returned to Australia on the City of York, disembarked at Fremantle on 18.2.1919 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
George Harkness McCaw was born in Fremantle on the 6.1.1892. He enlisted on the 8.3.16 in Fremantle and his next of kin was wife, Olive Patience McCaw of Attfield St, then South Terrace Fremantle. He was 24 years 2 months old, a butcher and had two children. A Presbyterian, George was described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 33 – 37 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was appointed a Private with service number 2855 at 56 Depot. On the 26.7.16 he was admitted to Number 8 AGH and returned to duty on the 24.11.16. George transferred to the 39th Battalion on the 2.12.16 and embarked at Fremantle on the 29.12.16 on the HMAT Persic A34. He was transferred to the 67th Infantry Battalion on 28.4 17. He proceeded to France on the 25.8.17. On the 6.11.17 he faced a court martial for desertion, but was convicted of the lesser charge of being absent without leave. He was sentenced to 28 days F.P. number 2. In total, he forfeited 62 days’ pay. George was sent to hospital sick on the 11.12.17, rejoining his unit on the 3.1.18. He was treated for septic gums on the 16.1.18. Again sick on the 5.2.18, he rejoined his unit on the 3.3.18. On the 4.4.18 he was wounded in action and evacuated to England with a gunshot wound to his left arm. He again went AWL from the 9.7.18 until the 7.8.18. He was sentenced to 30 days F.P. number 2 and forfeited 71 days’ pay. A further 33 days’ pay was forfeited for another period of being absent without leave. During WW1 a Private was paid 5 shillings per day and one shilling per day deferred pay. On 25.7.1918 he was “still deficient” of his uniform and kit to the value of £8/5/10. His final unit was the 39th Battalion. George returned to Australia on the City of York on the 14.1.19, disembarked on 18.2.19 at Fremantle and was discharged on the 28.3.19. In November 1919, a court ordered him to pay maintenance to his wife as they separated amidst allegations of domestic violence. His name was added to Scots Church board later.
He moved to Melbourne and requested replacement discharge papers twice. On the 17th of April 1936, he declared that he had lost his discharge papers and his wallet from his coat pocket. He was living at 59A Pakington Place, St Kilda. Then on 17th June 1938 at 24 Little Bourke St Melbourne, he made another statutory declaration that he’d worn out his discharge papers. George died on the 2.10.1939 in Royal Melbourne Hospital. A death notice in the West Australian says “Dearly beloved son of Mrs. Jane McCaw. of 28 Fifth-avenue, Beaconsfield. and brother of William, Birdie (Mrs. A. Rocke). Robert. Eben. Arthur, Jean (Mrs. W. Wenban), Nellie (Mrs. T. Connolly). Frank and Jack: aged 47 years. Ever remembered.” He was buried at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.