Private Robert Austin Cunningham was the 22 year old son of Alexander and Isabella Cunningham, of Huntingdon, Alexander having been a prominent member of the Godmanchester municipal council. Austin Cunningham was wounded in the chest when the 73rd Battalion attacked the German trenches across Zouave Valley, near Arras in northern France. He died in a hospital at Etaples, France on March 21st, 1917.
Private Austin Cunningham
Died of Wounds in WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
132506
Cause of Death (in war):
Died of Wounds
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
73rd Battalion
Company:
"D" Company, No 13 Platoon
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Huntingdon, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
20 years 9 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
22 years 3 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
22 years 3 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Plasterer
Next of Kin:
Isabel Cunningham, Mother, Huntingdon, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Religion:
Methodist
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
6 ft 0.0 in / 183 cm
Weight:
140 lbs / 64 kg
Chest:
35.0 in / 89 cm
Expansion:
2.0 in / 5 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Near Arras
Length of Service:
553 days in service
Buried at:
Images
Austin Cunningham
Grave of 132506 Private Austin Cunningham, age 23, Canadian Infantry, 73rd Bn.
Ranks
| Conflict | Rank | Regiment | Branch | Unit | Company | Date From | Date To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WW1 | Private | Canadian Infantry | Army | 73rd Battalion | "D" Company, No 13 Platoon |
Notes
The son of Alexander and Isabella Cunningham, of Huntingdon, Quebec, Robert Austin Cunningham, died of wound's received in France, aged 23 years. Early in March a message was received by his mother, that her son Austin had been wounded, likely while in the line on 1 March. The Canadian troops had launched a gas attack against the Germans on the 1st, then followed up with an attack against the German trenches across Zouave Valley, near Arras in Northern France. This was done under heavy fire and the Royal Highlanders endured 161 casualities.
Isabella Cunningham received a second message stating that Austin was seriously ill, followed by a third that he had died, in the hospital at Etaples France.
Austin's father, Alexander S. Cunningham, lived on a farm at the rear of Huntingdon, was a member of Godmanchester council, and served more than one term as mayor.
Isabella Cunningham received a second message stating that Austin was seriously ill, followed by a third that he had died, in the hospital at Etaples France.
Austin's father, Alexander S. Cunningham, lived on a farm at the rear of Huntingdon, was a member of Godmanchester council, and served more than one term as mayor.
Additional Service Notes
Embarked Halifax March 31 1916 arriving Liverpool April 8, 1916 via SS Adriatic
Arrived Havre, France 13 August 1916
Wounded 1 March 1917 GSW Chest
DOW 21 March 1917 in Liverpol Merchants Hospital, Etaples, France
Arrived Havre, France 13 August 1916
Wounded 1 March 1917 GSW Chest
DOW 21 March 1917 in Liverpol Merchants Hospital, Etaples, France
Research Notes
From the Huntingdon Gleaner
Austin's father, Alexander S. Cunningham, lived on a farm at the rear of this village, and for several years was a member of Godmanchester council, and served more than one term as mayor. Austin, whose death has come as such an affliction to his widowed mother and her family, was in his twenty third year. He was among the first to enlist on war being declared and went overseas with the first contingent in the Royal highlanders. He was a plasteror by trade and his comrades testify to his many good qualities.
Austin's father, Alexander S. Cunningham, lived on a farm at the rear of this village, and for several years was a member of Godmanchester council, and served more than one term as mayor. Austin, whose death has come as such an affliction to his widowed mother and her family, was in his twenty third year. He was among the first to enlist on war being declared and went overseas with the first contingent in the Royal highlanders. He was a plasteror by trade and his comrades testify to his many good qualities.