Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in the Adelaide suburb of Goodwood on the 23rd December 1914, William was almost a Christmas baby. He was the second son of Alexander and Florence Emily McCann. William, known as Bill, was just five when his family learned of the death of his uncle, Harry Swanton on July 24th 1916 in France during WWI. Harry, Florence’s brother, had served in the 32nd Battalion and remained a hero for the family, which had a lasting effect on young Bill.
Bill worked as a manager but with the outbreak of WWII he followed in his Uncle’s footsteps, enlisting on the 29th June ’40. He was 25 years old and became SX7236, being placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His early days were spent in the pavilions at Wayville (now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds). Bill was very rapidly promoted to Acting Corporal as a result of his involvement in a Physical and Recreational Training Course.
Following pre-embarkation leave, Bill boarded the Stratheden on the 7 November, with a further promotion to Acting Sergeant. He arrived in the Middle East on the 17th December, having spent over a fortnight in the ship’s hospital. He was soon to return to hospital with a self-inflicted infection, then by May was again being treated for a frustrating torn medial meniscus. Inevitably he was not equipped for extensive marching and by August ’41 was transferred to the Depot Battalion ‘fit for duties other than active service with field formation’. During this time, he was to be part of the Siege of Tobruk and earn the unofficial title of being a Rat of Tobruk – one which commanded huge respect for the bravery and resilience of those involved.
Inevitably by March ’42 Bill, by then a Sergeant, returned to Australia. He and Ruby Elsie May Modistach from Mitcham Park married in the St Theresa Church at Colonel Light Gardens in an afternoon ceremony on the 15th August, ‘42.
Service with the Defence Canteen Services based in Caboolture then Cairns followed. By November ’42 Bill was posted to the Northern Territory, then returned to Cairns and thence to New Guinea. He gained a further promotion to Warrant Officer II, in August ’44, still with a troublesome knee. Frustration was probably the cause of his first and only offence for ‘Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order’ but he escaped with a severe reprimand but no loss of pay.
Bill finally returned to Townsville in January ’45 with his troublesome right knee causing a further stay in the Military Hospital SA until the end of May ’45 with the added frustration of an infected burn on his finger. He was able to have well-earned leave in July ’45 and finally his discharge on the 24th August. A year later, on the 15th September, Bill and Ruby welcomed the arrival of their son, Kenneth William who was born at the popular Blackwood Private Hospital.
Just a month after his 52nd birthday, William died on the 25th January ’66. Ruby lived to be 88 and died on the 18th January 2006. Both now rest in the Centennial Park Cemetery, General E section, Path 18, Grave 353A.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.