MCCANN, William Charles
| Service Number: | 56139 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 May 1942, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 7 Service Flying Training School Deniliquin |
| Born: | Echuca, Victoria, Australia, 28 August 1913 |
| Home Town: | Deniliquin, Deniliquin, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Deniliquin Public School, Deniliquin High School |
| Occupation: | Bread Carter |
| Died: | Accidental (Ground Accident), Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, 6 August 1943, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Deniliquin War Cemetery, New South Wales Plot D. Row A. Grave 13. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Deniliquin War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement 56139 | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 56139, No. 7 Service Flying Training School Deniliquin, Melbourne, Vic. |
Help us honour William Charles McCann's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of William Herbert and Rachel Fanny McCann; husband of Valma Merle McCann, of Middle Park, Victoria.
2 KILLED WHEN TRUCK
OVERTURNED
Several Airmen Injured
When a utility truck overturned on Friday afternoon, about 5.30 o'clock, on Echuca road, 12 miles south of Deniliquin, two men were killed and several others injured.
The scene of the accident was almost opposite the residence of Mr. C. Varley, on the Echuca road. An inspection of the overturned truck was made by the Coroner (Mr. M. Wyse) and Constable J. Downie on Saturday morning.
From inquiries made by the constable it appears that the truck, in which there were three occupants of the cabin and five men in the back of the vehicle, was returning from Echuca to Deniliquin. Due to some unaccountable cause the truck left the crown of the road, travelled a few yards to the left and then turned over. The men in the back of the utility were thrown out on to the roadway, and those in the cabin were released by opening the door on the near side. The truck finished upside down, the front resting on the roof of the cabin and the rear portion on the extreme end of the vehicle. Articles in the truck were thrown in all directions. As quickly as possible a message was sent for assistance and an ambulance went out and conveyed the dead and injured men to hospital. It was stated today that Tollis and Packman were still in a serious condition.
An inquest will be held when police investigations are concluded.
L.A.C. McCann is a member of a well-known Deniliquin family, being a son of Mr. W. and the late Mrs. McCann. He was a young man who had many friends in the town, and all will join in sympathising with his relatives in their tragic bereavement. He is survived by his wife and a young child. Following a service in the Methodist Church, which was attended by a large number of L.A.C. McCann's friends and relatives, on Sunday, the coffin was carried to an Air Force tender by six members of the R.A.A.F.
Firemen from Deniliquin Brigade and brethren of the R.A.O.B. filed behind the coffin, which was draped with an Air Force flag, and covered with floral tributes. Padre Reid conducted the service and Bro. L. R. McCatrthy read the R.A.O.B. service at the graveside.
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Leading Aircraftman William Ronald McKay 120605 and Leading Aircraftman William Charles McCann 56139 from Number 7 Service Flying Training School were killed in a Motor Vehicle Accident near Deniliquin in NSW
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