Christopher McCabe

Submitted by Shellharbour Ci... on Thu, 30/04/2015 - 15:18

First Name:

Christopher

Last Name:

McCabe

Mother's Name:

Catherine McCabe (nee Boylan)

Father's Name:

James McCabe

Date Enlisted:

Monday, June 19, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 55th Battalion

Company:

17th Reinforcement

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Military Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, August 14, 2015

Place of Death:

Shellharbour

Details:

Christopher McCabe (Service No 5418) was born in 1891 to James McCabe and Catherine (Kate) Boylan. The family home in Addison Street, Shellharbour Village was built from salvaged remains of the shipwreck Rangoon which struck Minnamurra Island in 1870.

He went to Shellharbour Public School and was later employed at Bass Point as a quarry worker before joining the Steel Works at Port Kembla.

He enlisted in the AIF in 1916 and was awarded the Military Medal recognition of his high performance at Villers Bretonneaux and Peronne, France.

The people of Shellharbour organised a welcome home for Christy and on behalf of them local man Colonel Colin Dunmore Fuller 6th Australian Light Horse of Dunmore House, presented him with a gold watch and chain which he wore with pride until his death.

Christy Christy never married. He was a keen sportsman and played cricket and league for the local team and was honoured with a life membership of the local cricket club.

He enjoyed the game euchre and loved to collect shells. His large shell collection was donated to Shellharbour Council and is now part of the Tongarra Museum collection.

After a long illness he died at Mount Warrigal Nursing Home at the age of 90.

Sources:

http://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/anzaconline/ANZACindex.html

NAA: B2455, MCCABE C