McCaffrey, Frederick Peter (Bombardier, b.1899 – d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of SX38289 Bombardier Frederick Peter McCaffrey, Heavy Battery Rabaul (Coastal Battery), Royal Australian Artillery, Second Australian Imperial Force, England, dated 15 May 1937.

Wallet 1 of 1 contains one letter written by Bombardier McCaffrey to his mother, Mary Agnes (née O’Shaughnessy) McCaffrey, London, England, dated 15 May 1937. In this letter he writes to inform her of his involvement in the Australian contingent for the Coronation of King George IV, and includes details of Commonwealth army’s uniforms, celebratory decorations and receipt of a medal from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Frederick Peter McCaffrey enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force in Freemantle, Western Australia on 7 April 1923. He served in the Royal Australian Artillery, and was selected for the Australian Coronation Continent in 1937. On 1 June 1939 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2. Warrant Officer Class 2 McCaffrey continued to re-engage with the permanent forces every three years, until enlisting in the Australian Independent Company for the Second World War on 22 February 1941. He served with the Heavy Battery Rabaul (Costal Battery) in Rabaul until being reported as missing [believed to be prisoner of war] on 25 July 1942. It is believed that Warrant Officer Class 2 McCaffrey died in Rabaul on 1 July 1942, and was officially reported as deceased on 16 October 1942.