Cusack, Robert

2626 Private Robert Joseph Cusack - 28th Battalion

The majority of the Cusack’s arrived in Western Australia in 1900 on the ship Paroo, having previously lived in Scone NSW. On arrival they initially took up residence in Katanning but soon moved to Fremantle where they took up residence at 185 Holland Street. (In the 1930s the street was re-numbered and the residence became, and remains, 110 Holland Street.)  

Robert and Anne Cusack had seventeen children in all, though only 13 lived past infancy.

Their eldest son was Edward Patrick Cusack who had preceded his family to WA and he initially lived in the South West where he was employed in forestry work. He joined the police force for several years and then took up farming in Narembeen near Wandering.

Joe and Luke Cusack also joined him there though Luke would return to live in Fremantle.

At this stage, in 1912, Robert, Matthew, Luke and Bernie were still all living at home in Holland Street.

Robert had been working as a shearer and labourer when he enlisted into the AIF in Geraldton on 13 August 1915. He was passed as fit by the medical examiner who recorded his physical attributes as:  5 feet 11 inches; 145lbs; chest measurement of 33-37 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was initially assigned to No.23 Training Depot.

On 16 October 1915 Bob was transferred into the 6th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion. This group embarked from Fremantle aboard HMAT Ulysses on 2 November 1915.The transport ship reached Egypt at the end of the month and Bob was transferred into the 7th Training Battalion. He spent the next few months at this training base and on 3 March 1916 he was transferred into the newly created unit, the 51st Battalion.

The 51st Battalion trained in the Egyptian desert until June 1916 when they embarked for France. They had their first taste of Western Front trench life near Fleurbaix and in early August they took part in the Battle of the Somme. On 16 August Bob was slightly wounded by shrapnel and was sent to the Field Ambulance for treatment but he managed to rejoin his unit three days later. 

On 3 September 1916 the 51st Battalion were tasked with the capture of Mouquet Farm. After initial success, the Germans rallied and inflicted heavy casualties on the Australians. Bob was severely wounded this time with bullets piercing him through the legs and abdomen. After initial treatment in France, Bob was shipped to England where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth. The wound to his abdomen was severe and had done much internal damage. He spent a month in hospital in England and was marked for a return to Australia once he was well enough to travel.

On 16 October 1916 Bob was stretchered aboard HMAT Karoola and the ship set sail from Southampton to Fremantle. On arrival in Fremantle on 25 November 1916 Bob was admitted to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace for further medical treatment. Robert Cusack was discharged from the AIF on 12 March 1917. Due to his severe injuries he was granted a military pension of 15/- per fortnight. 

In 1919 Bob married Catherine O’Connor and they set up residence in Allen Street, East Fremantle. Robert died on 20 September 1937.