Glanville’s courageous Lieutenant Colonel William McCann remembered for protecting Australia during two world wars

COURAGEOUS, gallant and devoted to his troops is how historical records sum up Lieutenant Colonel William McCann.

Studio portrait of three brothers, on leave together for the last time in England. From left: Lieutenant (Lt) Claude Cyril John McCann MC, 27th Battalion; 1059 Private (Pte)Jack Stewart Sydney McCann, 43rd Battalion; Captain (Capt) William Francis John McCann MC, 10th Battalion.

COURAGEOUS, gallant and devoted to his troops is how historical records sum up Lieutenant Colonel William McCann.

The Glanville-born soldier was renowned for his countless acts of bravery to help the war effort and his staunch protection of his troops.

A teacher before he was a member for the 10th Battalion, McCann was among the first ashore at Gallipoli.

A private before he left Australian shores on-board HMAT Ascanius on October, 1914, he served with valour as a company sergeant major, before rising to the of captain a year later in France.

It was during first day of fighting at the Battle of Pozières commanding the battalion’s leading company in the first stage of the Allied attacks he was severely wounded in the head but fought on for several hours, according to Australian War Memorial records.

It was an act which resulted in his first Military Cross, an award he would receive again by the end of the war.

He spent the next four months recovering in England but was wounded in the neck during a night attack at Louverval Wood in April the next year.

Field reports suggest he refused for several hours to leave the line.

His bar, or second Military Cross, came after action at Mont de Merris on July 29 when he led one of the attacking companies with great dash in a daring operation.

McCann was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his courage under fire at Crépey Wood on August 10, 1918.

He was also promoted to the rank of major.

“His courage and fine leadership prevented an important position falling into the hands of the enemy,” field records read.

“Crépey was under an inferno of enemy fire but he (McCann) directed his men with the greatest coolness and resource.

“When the enemy in greatly superior numbers, counter attacked, he held them off, personally killing many of the enemy and re-establish his original line.”

After a brief stint in England after the war McCann returned to Australia on May 20, 1919.

He spent the next few years working on farms in Truro and Manoora in the state’s Mid North but his years of fighting had taken a toll on his body and he returned to the city to study law in 1922.

He was admitted to the Bar three years later but re-entered the armed forces in 1927.

He rose to rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was officer commanding the special constabulary of men over 45, South Australian Emergency National Defence League during World War II.

McCann was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1956, aged 64.

He died of heart disease a year later at his Tusmore home.

Originally published as Glanville’s courageous Lieutenant Colonel William McCann remembered for protecting Australia during two world wars