Sidney Stanley CANNON

Sidney Stanley CANNON

Private Sidney Stanley Cannon (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 7/7/1917)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4744), Sidney Stanley Cannon was born at Parramatta, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 21 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as carpenter.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 135 lbs., with a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair.  His religious denomination was recorded as Church of England.  He claimed that he had 4 years previous military service in the Senior Cadets (universal training).

He completed his medical examination on 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 2^nd February 1916 whilst training at the Liverpool Camp Private Cannon was charged with being absent without leave for 2 days and from 1 parade.  He was fined 10 shillings.

On 22^nd February 1916 Private Cannon was charged with being absent from fatigue and insubordination.  He was fined a total of 25 shillings.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, I. [Isaac] R. Cannon, at the same address.

On 8^th March 1916, Private Cannon, along with many of the other Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, with the 15^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.  He arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

On 16^th April 1916 Private Cannon was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt.

On 4^th June 1916 Private Cannon left Alexandria aboard the Transport Scotian bound for France.  He arrived at Marseilles on 11^th June 1916.

On 9^th July 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was engaged in works in the vicinity of Fleurbaix, France when Private Cannon was evacuated to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Bronchitis.  On 10^th July 1916 he was transferred to the 5^th Divisional Rest Station.  On 14^th July 1916 he re-joined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion as it arrived at Canaples, France, for training.

On 4^th November 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was training at Breilly, France, when Private Cannon was admitted to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance with stiff joints.  He was admitted to the 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Amiens, France, later that day with an injured thumb. A note in his service record reported that his injury to thumb was ‘caused by cold exposure when on duty, soldier not to blame’.  On 8^th November 1916 he was placed aboard the 4^th Ambulance Train and moved to the 1^st Australian General Hospital in Rouen, France, where he was admitted the next day.  He was transferred to the 2^nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen with a dislocated thumb on 10^th November 1916.

On 23^rd November 1916 Private Cannon was discharged and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France.  He was admitted to the 26^th General Hospital at Etaples with the dislocated thumb on 28^th November 1916.  On 2^nd December 1916 he was discharged to the 6^th Convalescent Depot.  He was sent back to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot on 13^th December 1916.

On 17^th January 1917 Private Cannon marched out of the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot to return to his unit.  He re-joined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 19^th January 1917 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Longueval, France.

On 6^th June 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was in camp in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium, where it had been constructing roads, when Private Cannon was wounded in action, receiving an explosive shell wound to his right temple.[2]  On 6^th June 1917 Private Cannon was evacuated to the 77^th Field Ambulance, then moved back to the 53^rd Casualty Clearing Station, then to the 1^st Casualty Clearing Station, before he was admitted to the 1^st New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Hazebrouck, France.

On 3^rd July 1917 Private Cannon was placed aboard the 8^th Ambulance Train and sent to the 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, France, and admitted with gunshot wound to the temple.

On 13^th July 1917 Private Cannon was sent by Hospital Ship to England.  He was admitted to the Fulham Military Hospital on 14^th July 1917.

On 3^rd August 1917 Private Cannon was transferred to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England.  On 9^th August 1917 he was granted leave, to report to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on 23^rd August 1917.

On 28^th August 1917 Private Cannon was transferred to the No. 4 Command Depot at Codford, England.

On 30^th October 1917 Private Cannon went before a Medical Board that classed him unfit for general service for more than six months and unfit for home service, due to his gunshot wound and strain.

On 24^th November 1917 Private Cannon was transferred back to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

Private Cannon commenced his return to Australia from Plymouth on 20^th December 1917 aboard the HMAT A54 Runic to be medically discharged with gunshot wound, right ankle debility and tachycardia.

He arrived in Australia on 14^th February 1918.

On 6^th July 1918 Private Cannon went before a Medical Board at the 4^th Australian General Hospital at Randwick, Sydney, where his recommendation to be discharged was confirmed.

He was discharged medically unfit on 20^th July 1918.

[1] NAA: B2455, CANNON S S

[2] AWM4 14/16/16 – June 1917, Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, 4^th Australian Pioneer Battalion.