Michael Vincent Cahill
Rank:
Company Sergeant Major/ Warrant Officer Class II
Serial No:
Serial No. 2011
Regiment:
5th Railway Section & 2nd Railway Operating Company
Suburb:
Douglas Park
Michael Vincent Cahill - Information
Michael Vincent Cahill was a member of a significant Campbelltown family that owned Mount Huon. The oldest son of Patrick and Agnes Cahill, Michael was born in Douglas Park in 1890. When war broke out, Michael was living on the family property at Mount Huon and working as a night officer on the railway. After the war commenced, the Cahills watched many Campbelltownians devote themselves to the war effort, but would soon suffer a tragedy. In November 1914, Patrick's mother passed away.
A few years later, Michael enlisted at Moore Park in Sydney on the 9th of January 1917, posted to the Railway Reserve. On the 9th of March 1917, he was promoted to Sergeant and placed with the 5th Railway Section. Michael then left for service overseas, departing Melbourne upon the HMAT Ascanius on the 11th of May 1917 as Company Sergeant Major.
Michael arrived at Devonport in late July, and was marched out to the 5th Section, Australian Railway Operation. He was then sent to France to serve on the railway lines, helping to transport men and material. Railway units remained necessary after the war, and he was therefore taken on strength to the 2nd Railway Company at AIF Headquarters in London in July 1919. In October, he was sent home to Australia. Michael reunited with his family, returning to work at the train station. He then married Annie Durrant in 1923 in Murrumburrah passing away in 1974 at Pymble.