| Regimental number | 3630 |
| Place of birth | Walcha, New South Wales |
| School | Walcha Public School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Ohio Road, Walcha, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs C Riley, Ohio Road, Walcha, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Armidale, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 18th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/35/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death | 23 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 23 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 10), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 158 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Alfred and Catherine CAWLEY. Native of Walcha, New South Wales |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 4997 Pte Harold Stephen CAWLEY, 3rd Machine Gun Bn, returned to Australia, 27 April 1919. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Transferred to 54th Bn from 5th Training Bn, Moascar, 3 April 1916; joined 54th Bn, Ferry Post, 3 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. Previous report of missing now, 28 July 1916, to be reported as 'Killed in Action, 19/20 July 1916'. Statement, Red Cross File No 710605, 4775 Pte J. FEEHAN, 54th Bn (patient, 23rd General Hospital, Etaples), 4 November 1916; 'I do not know what happened to Cawley but I saw his grave with his name on a cross, in the Cemetery near Sailly.' Second statement, 4775 Pte J. FEEHAN, 54th Bn (patient, Stirchley hospital, Birmingham, England), 11 November 1916: 'On the 19th. July 1916 at Vermelles we made an attack on the German first line. We took the line and held it for 14 hours. The Germans counter-attacked and we had to retire. Cawley was shot thorugh the lungs and was carried into a communication trench, where he was left. He only lived a short time. I did not see Cawley but some men in the same platoon told us about him at roll-call next morning. He was buried at Sailly Cemetery and a cross erected. I have seen that.' Note on file: 'No trace Germany. Cert by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CAWLEY Herbert Thomas
Red Cross file 710605 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
