Mr. J. MCCAW

Grandpa Mc Caw (the Captain John Mc Caw listed here) arrived in Adelaide 10 days before I was born in Strathalbyn. He came to live with us (my mother Muriel, his middle daughter & my father Joe Channing). He had been a master mariner since gaining his master's certificate in 1924 in Hong Kong. His first visit to Port Adelaide had been as a midshipman on a sailing ship before the turn of the 20th century. When asked after he'd arrived by locals what football team he would barrack for he asked them to list them. When they arrived at Port Adelaide he thought that was the most fitting since that was the first part of Adelaide he had seen. He was born in Glasgow on October 14, 1877. His (Irish) father died when he was 2 years of age (?) and he was raised by his Scots mother . He was involved in the Boer War in the Light Horse (but I don't know much about this part of his life) He was First Officer on the Mattunga (sp) during WW1 which had been captured by the German raider Wolf. He was taken to a German POW camp after passengers & crew were held for some time. In the Second World his ship was at Millingimbi (sp) on one of the attacks on Darwin. He was injured by shrapnel. I believe too that his ship may have been used for United Nations relief during the Korean War. He lived with us (my sister Anne was born in 1954) Muriel (daughter), Joe (son-in-law) and me until his death on June 11, 1965.

Hi Jeannie, I have just finished transcribing a letter that your grandfather Mr J. McCaw wrote to my grandfather Mr J. Knox. I believe the letter was written in 1952 (not dated) and it is a detailed description of Christmas Island. He says that he was the Mate of the Ship. My grandfather was living at the War Veterans Home in Sydney and apparently your grandfather visited him. They both served in the Light Horse, Boer War and I am assuming that they met there. If you like a copy of this letter please contact me. JanB