CATHCART, John
| Service Number: | 33 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, 9 May 1879 |
| Home Town: | Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, 1 September 1943, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Bundaberg General Cemetery, Queensland Plot:- Section: General-A14C Grave No: P1935 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 33, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 33, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 448 notes 1st QMI embarked 1 Nov 1899 aboard Cornwall arriving Cape Town 13 Dec 1899. | |
| 25 Aug 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 33, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier notes invalided due to sunstroke at Kimberley, South Africa, returning to Australia aboard Persic arriving at Brisbane 18 Aug 1900, discharged 25 Aug 1900. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Note- his full name was John Houston Cathcart as recorded on his Boer War Veteran Case File held by National Archives.
He enlisted as John Cathcart in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, where he was recorded as Private J. Cathcart, single, Bundaberg. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 1st QMI, Bk 2 p. 17, it is noted he directed part of his pay to Mrs. Cathcart, George St, Bundaberg.
He was affected by sunstroke at Kimberley, South Africa, and invalided returning to Brisbane where he was discharged on 25 Aug 1900.
John Houston Cathcart was born on 9 May 1879 at Bundaberg, a son to John Thomas Cathcart and Emily Jane Cathcart (nee Baldwin). He married Mary Ann Jackson on 7 Mar 1904 in Brisbane and returned to reside at Bundaberg where they had 5 children.When he passed in 1943 at Bundaberg an obituary was published in the local newspaper as transcribed below.
Obituary Mr. J. H. Cathcart- Bundaberg News-Mail, 2 Sep 1943, p. 2.
Mr. John Houston Cathcart, North Bundaberg, died last night at St. Vincent's Private Hospital, aged 64. Mr. Cathcart was a native of Bundaberg, the eldest son of Mrs. E. J. Cathcart, of Mackay, and the late Mr. J. T. Cathcart. He was married in Brisbane to Miss Mary Ann Jackson, a member of a well known Bundaberg family. He was a blacksmith by trade, but has lived in retirement for the past 16 years.
Mr. Cathcart was a veteran of the Boer War, and was a member of the African War Veterans' Association. He was the first president of the Burnett Heads Church of England Committee. Although he had not enjoyed good health for some time, he only became ill a week ago.
Mr. Cathcart is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. B. Archer and Mrs. G. Rickert, of Bundaberg and Mrs. E. McKenzie, who is with the A.W.A.S. and two sons, Colin, of the A.I.F. (a prisoner of war in Java) and William (Bundaberg). Also his mother, and brother, Mr. A. Cathcart (Mackay). There are eight grandchildren.
The funeral takes place this afternoon from the Church of England. The arrangements are in the hands of Messrs. F. C. Brown and Co.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 454; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 2 p. 17).
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