Private Robert Ashton Cavanagh
- Rank
- Private
- Service number
- 2796
- Unit
- 51 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Mouquet Farm, France
- Date of death
- 3 September 1916
- Age
- 18
- Plaque number
- M171A
- Co-located plaques
- M171 - PTE Harold Douglas
- Dedicated by
- Family on 16 December 2006
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Private Robert Ashton Cavanagh of 51 Battalion was the fourth of six children born to James and Charlotte Cavanagh.
Robert was born in Norseman on Christmas Day 1897, the family having moved from Adelaide in 1895. He was very keen to enlist but being under age he was not allowed.
He then spent twelve months with 87 Subiaco Senior Cadets and finally his parents gave permission for him to enlist.
Robert enlisted in June 1915 and was posted to 11 Battalion. They embarked at Fremantle for Egypt on the HMAT Hororata in October.
He transferred to 51 Battalion in February 1916 and after five months of fighting in the Middle East they sailed for Marseilles and into France.
Private Robert Ashton Cavanagh, service number 2796 of 51 Battalion, was killed in action at Mouquet Farm on 3 September 1916. He was 18 years of age.
Robert's brother Gordon James Cavanagh also served with distinction, gaining the military medal.