Alexander CANAVAN

Regimental number396
Place of birthDerryadd, Lurgan, Co Armagh, Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
AddressTownsville, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28
Height5' 9"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, Patrick Canavan, Derryadd, Lungan, Armagh, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 April 1916
Place of enlistmentTownsville, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 13, Reinforcement 5
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/18/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 19 September 1916
Regimental number from Nominal Roll396A
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Machine Gun Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 22 August 1919
Discharge date28 November 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 19 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 14 November 1916. Marched in to Machine Gun Training Depot, 15 December 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 17 March 1917. Mustered as Driver, 22nd Machine Gun Company, 1 January 1917.

Admitted to 5th Field Ambulance, 13 July 1917 (syphilis); transferred to 39th General Hospital, Havre, 19 July 1917; date of discharge not recorded. Re-admitted to 39th General Hospital, 28 July 1917 (acne vulgaris); to Machine Gun Base Depot, Camiers, 8 September 1917; rejoined unit, 6 October 1917.

Admitted to 6th Field Ambulance Divisional Rest Station, 16 January 1918 (scabies); rejoined unit, 21 January 1918.

Proceeded on leave to England, 14 August 1918; rejoined unit, 1 September 1918. Attached to uni-du-travail, Charleroi, 21 February 1918; rejoined unit, 28 March 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 30 March 1919; rejoined unit, 17 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from London on board 'Anchises', 23 August 1919; disembarked Sydney, 13 October 1919; discharged, 28 November 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, CANAVAN Alexander