Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The true identity of Albert Leslie Thompson.

The above name was fabricated by Robert Percival Cannon who, at the age of 16, desired to see the world and fight for his country. Without any consideration to his family, or for his own life, he changed his name and age in order to enlist into the Army like so many others of his age.

Robert Percy Cannon was born 1899 at Currency Creek, South Australia and was the first child born to John and Mary (nee Carter) Cannon. Their second child born in 1902 was William Alan Cannon.

Robert’s mother, Mary died shortly after the birth of William in 1902. In October 1904 Robert’s father married his second wife, Jessie Burger. They had 9 children together.

By the year 1914 the Cannon family settled near Victor Harbor. Robert’s father, John died in 1941.

On 19 July 1915, at age 16, Robert Percy Cannon enlisted into the AIF at Keswick Barracks Adelaide. He informed the recruiting officer his name was Albert Leslie Thompson, that he was 19 years and 2 months of age and was born in Currency Creek. He noted his parents were both deceased and said his next of kin was William Tom Cannon of Victor Harbor, who was a friend of Robert.

On that day, Robert Percy Cannon became private Albert Leslie Thompson, service No.3222A of the 10th Battalion AIF.

I have used the true identity of Albert Leslie Thompson (being ROBERT PERCIVAL CANNON) for the remainder of Robert’s biography.

On 14 Sep 1915, after Robert completed his basic training, he embarked on the ship HMAT Ballarat, bound for Egypt.

On 25 Nov 1915, Robert was taken ill in Alexandra with pneumonia and taken to the field hospital Mudros.

On 2 January 1916, Robert was transferred to the Heliopolis Auxiliary Hospital in Cairo, where he seemed to be recovering, however, on 11 March 1916, he contracted a severe, secondary pneumonia infection. Due to the severity of the pneumonia, the medical staff pronounced Robert unfit for active duty and prepared him to return to Australia.

On 19 April 1916, Robert was in good spirits as he embarked for Australia aboard the ship Runic which sailed via the Suez Canal.

Robert arrived in Fremantle Western Australia on the 16 May 1916. Robert Percy Cannon had served a total of 1 year 58 days.

Robert remained in WA for a short time in hospital until July 1916 where he returned to the Keswick Army barracks in Adelaide. On 14 September 1916 Robert Percy Cannon received his Army discharge.

A short time later the repatriation hospital transferred him to Glossop near the River Murray SA, where the Government built a soldier’s settlement for the rehabilitation of returned WW1 soldiers with disabilities.

Robert remained here until 3 March 1924 when he returned home to Victor Harbour. He later found work as a labourer in Adelaide where he remained.

Robert Percy married Mary Kathleen Laura Hawke in 1925. It was around this time that the spelling of the surname ‘Cannon’ became ‘Cannan’.

In 1968 it became clear the army knew of Robert’s true identity as he was receiving his Army casualty pension in the name of ROBERT PERCIVAL CANNAN, not his enlisted name of Albert Leslie Thompson.

Sadly on the 20 October 1968 age 69, Robert Cannan died. During his Army service he may not have fired an angry shot at the enemy but he most certainly fought a private war with another enemy known as pneumonia which almost took his life.