The AIF Project

Samuel John McCAY

Regimental number2432
Date of birth15 March 1873
Place of birthCastlederg, Co Tyrone, Ireland
OccupationMiner
AddressPost Office, Boulder City, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation42
Height5' 7"
Weight157 lbs
Next of kinFather, C McCay, Waroona, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date2 March 1915
Place of enlistmentKalgoorlie, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameField Ambulance 4, Reinforcement 5
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/47/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 26 April 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 25 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On 29th September, 1917, east of WESTHOEK RIDGE this man displayed great gallantry by going out under heavy enemy barrage and bringing in a wounded man. It is certain that had this man been left a minute longer where he fell, he would have been killed as the shell fire was most intense.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Discharge date22 May 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 19 June 1915. Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance, 2 July 1915 (rheumatism; no further details recorded). Found guilty of refusing to obey an order, 10 July 1915: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Wounded in action, 9 August 1915 (gun shot wound, left thigh); admitted to Base Details, Mudros, 4 September 1915; rejoined unit, 16 September 1915.

Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance, 12 November 1915; transferred by Hospital Ship to Alexandria and admitted to No 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 14 November 1915; to Convalescent Camp, Helouan, 24 November 1915; to New Zealand and Australian Convalescent Hospital, Helouan, 24 November 1915 (pleurisy); discharged to Overseas Base, Ghezireh ('fit for Active Service'), 9 December 1915. Taken on strength, 12th Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, 29 February 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 4 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 11 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 8 August 1916 (shell wound, left leg), and admitted to 12th Field Ambulance; transferred to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 10 August 1916 (gun shot wound, leg); to England, 15 August 1916, and admitted to Lord Derby's War Hospital, Warrington, 16 August 1916. Marched in to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 19 September 1916, and granted furlough to 6 October 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 29 November 1916; rejoined unit, 11 December 1916.

Admitted to 12th Field Ambulance, 18 July 1917 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to No 3 Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, 19 July 1917; to 5th Convalescent Depot, 25 July 1917; to Base Details, 2 September 1917; rejoined unit, 12 September 1917.

Awarded the Military Medal.

To United Kingdom on leave, 13 December 1917; rejoined unit, 29 December 1917.

Admitted to No 41 Stationary Hospital, 7 October 1918 (debility); discharged to unit, 14 October 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 20 November 1918; rejoined unit, 6 December 1918. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 31 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Ceramic', 25 January 1919;disembarked Melbourne, 23 March 1919; discharged, 22 May 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, McCAY Samuel John

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.