CANT, Percy

Percy, a twenty year old miner, lived at Copeton near Inverell before he enlisted. He was born in the Bingara district in 1895 to Tom and Rebecca Cant. Percy joined the First Contingent of the Kurrajongs who left Inverell on 12 January 1916. He became a member of the 33rd Battalion A Company which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to departure from Australia in May.

After arriving in England the Battalion trained at Salisbury Plain before going to France at the end of 1916. During the Battle of Messines, Percy was one of several Kurrajong men Killed in Action on 7 June 1917. He was buried near Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium and his few personal effects returned to his mother. Private Percy Cant’s name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

The Inverell Times newspaper, 25 September 1917 published a letter written to Percy’s father by his commanding officer saying

‘he distinguished himself by his courage, coolness, determination and cheerful spirit. He was always a hard and willing worker, the utmost reliance was placed in him.’

At Inverell Private Cant’s name is recorded on the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph. In addition, in 1919 a memorial tree was planted for him in Kurrajong Parade.