John Patrick CUNNINGHAM

CUNNINGHAM, John Patrick

Service Number: 4273
Enlisted: 6 October 1916, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 32nd Infantry Battalion
Born: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia , 1888
Home Town: Norwood (SA), South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Killed in Action, France, 24 June 1918
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Buried by Rev A.O'Sullivan 1/20.000 62D K.25 A.61, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Memorials: Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Edithburgh Public School Roll of Honour, Edithburgh WW2 Roll of Honor, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France)
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World War 1 Service

6 Oct 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4273, Adelaide, South Australia
7 Nov 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4273, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: ''
7 Nov 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4273, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide

World War 2 Service

6 Mar 1918: Wounded Contusion of hip and right hand (not in performance of military duty). Discharged 12 days later and granted balance of furlough and to proceed overseas to join Unit on the 29th.

World War 1 Service

24 Jun 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4273, 32nd Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Saint Ignatius' College

John Patrick Cunningham was born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia and died on the 24thof June 1918. He followed the Roman Catholic religion and was unmarried his whole life with an occupation of a labourer before enlisting to fight for Australia during World War 1.[1]John’s appearance was quite different compared to his capabilities as he had a height of 5 feet and 1½ inches (1.56 metres), a weight of 127 lbs (57.61 kilograms) and a chest measurement of 33-34 inches (83.82 to 86.36 centimetres) but was a well-built man. He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. His sister; Mrs Mary Moyse lived at 3 Elizabeth Street, Norwood, South Australia.[2]
 
John Cunningham enlisted for the second time on the 6thof October 1916 at the age of 28 years and 7 months. He received four vaccines prior to his embarkation and underwent an examination which he passed on the 9thof October 1916. He had previously been rejected for being unfit to serve in the war because he was ‘too short.’ The Medical officer had commented that he was “a little below standard in height but particularly sturdy and fit.” Cunningham’s address was ‘Norwood, South Australia 32ndBattalion, 11th reinforcement’ and was assigned to the Army where he would fight as a private alongside many other Australian men. He served the Australian Imperial Force and embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board the HMAT A19 Afric on the 7th of November 1916.[3]John marched in from England at Etaples on the 7thof April 1917 and marched out to Unit the following day. He was taken on strength on the 12th, making his Will at Mitcham Military Camp; South Australia on the 24thof July. His Will was lodged with his next kin who was his sister and was witnessed by J. H. Jary and Corporal Gee E. A. Kelly.

On the 7thof March 1918, John was on service leave from France in the United Kingdom until admitted into King George Hospital, Stamford Street Waterloo SE1 9NHwith a bruised mouth. He spent a total of 12 days in hospital and was discharged on the 18th but re-admitted soon after due to a contusion of his hip and right hand which was not caused while in performance of military duty though he was not to blame. After being discharged from King George Hospital, John was granted a balance of furlough and to proceed overseas to join the Unit ex on the 29thof March that year. He re-joined the Unit ex Sick on the fighting field.

At the age of 30, John Patrick Cunningham was killed in action on the 24thof June 1918 while fighting on the fields of France. His death had been confirmed by the Commandant, A.I.F., Headquarters in London on the 8thof July 1918 by mail.[4] John’s sister Mrs Mary Moyse had received the news of her brother’s death and immediately wrote to Major Lean asking for the official confirmation of John’s death. She also informed him that she had planned to “request the Public Trustee to administrate.”[5]
 
John was buried by Reverend A.O’Sullivan. His name can be read on the Roll of honour on panel 120 in the Commemorative Area in the 120 Australian War Memorial.[6]He received the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Star Medal in memory of his service while fighting in World War 1 and to remember the sacrifices he made while fighting for Australia.[7]
 
ANZAC and ANZAC spirit
The acronym ‘ANZAC’ stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. It was previously known as ‘A & Z Army Corps’ but was shortened and is now referred to as ANZAC. In 1915 on the 25thof April, soldiers from Australia and New Zealand had combined forces and journeyed together in an attempt to take control of the Gallipoli peninsula. From that day on, ANZAC was the name that they called themselves and to this day, are proud to hold that name.[8] 
 
The qualities of what it means to be ANZAC includes determination, sacrifice, mateship, discipline, endurance and initiative which can be summarised into the values seen from a soldier who demonstrates the ANZAC spirit.
 
The ANZAC spirit, also known to be the ANZAC legend or myth, is believed to be a concept in which soldiers from Australia and New Zealand displayed good characteristics and qualities, especially soldiers who fought on the fields during World War 1. The ANZAC Spirit is something that we remember up to this current day and age and still commemorate because of the many soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country and people. The myth has left such an imprint on Australians and historians that we believe we should honour the soldiers who died for us and their country.[9]
 
The ANZAC spirit can be reflected by someone who demonstrates confidence and courage to keep going, no matter how small the possibilities may be. They should also show comradeship to their fellow soldiers and a good sense of humour to keep light in the midst of the darkness. Displaying ingenuity and endurance through the hard times they face are also key figures to what ANZAC spirit is all about.
John Patrick Cunningham showed ANZAC spirit even before fighting on the field in World War 1. He had been rejected after his first enlistment because of his height. John displayed courage, initiative and perseverance to enlist again and was accepted on his second attempt. Another instance when John displayed ANZAC spirit was when he had been admitted to hospital twice; one concerning a bruised mouth while on leave and the second regarding a contusion of his hip and right hand. Despite these challenges, John continued on, re-joining the fight alongside Unit ex Sick on the battle field after being discharged. On the 24thof June in 1918, John had sacrificed his life for his country and regiment and died while fighting on the fields in France, making the ultimate sacrifice.


[1]The AIF Project - John Patrick CUNNINGHAM 2016, UNSW Australia, Canberra, accessed 5 March 2018, <https://aif.adfa.edu.au/search>.
[2]Item details for: D2994, CUNNINGHAM J P 2017, accessed 2 March 2018, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1988785&isAv=N>.
[3]Her Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships n.d., accessed 6 March 2018, <http://alh-research.tripod.com/ships_lh.htm>.
[4]John Patrick Cunningham - Discovering Anzacs - Nation Archives of Australia 2018, Australian Government, Australia, accessed 4 March 2018, <https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/139086>.
[5]Item details for: D2994, CUNNINGHAM J P 2017, accessed 2 March 2018, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1988785&isAv=N>.
[6]FIRST WORLD WAR EMBARKATION ROLL John Patrick Cunningham 2017, accessed 3 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1874752>.
[7]Item details for: D2994, CUNNINGHAM J P 2017, accessed 2 March 2018, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1988785&isAv=N>.
[8]Anzac Day 2016, accessed 20 March 2018, <https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/traditions/anzac-day>.
[9]ANZAC Day | The Sprit of Anzac 2016, accessed 21 March 2018, <https://anzacday.org.au/spirit-of-anzac>.

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