| Rank | Captain - Doctor, Major |
| Service # | 153774 |
| Unit # | CAMC |
Regimental number: 153774, Service No. 4-M-538. Doctor. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 6612-37, Item: 141204, PDF: B6612-S037. Date of Birth: 20/04/1886 at Chatham, ON. He was delivered by Dr. J.A. Rutherford.
The son of John McCann (carriage maker) and Mary Elizabeth (nee Needle) McCann. He had two older siblings Ethel (born 1880 – died 8/05/1885) and John Jr. (born 1881 – died 15/05/1885) both had diphtheria. A younger sister Mary Ella (born 1888 – died 20/08/1888 of tuberculosis). His father would also die in 1888 also due to tuberculosis), all are buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham, ON. His mother was left with Albert Sydney but would re-marry and have two children from that marriage.
Albert Sidney would go west in 1905 where he studied medicine at Manitoba Medical College and graduated in 1917, just in time to get into the Great War. His Attestation dated 3/12/1917 at Winnipeg Manitoba age 27 years 4 mths., to the CAMC.
Jessie Lucinda (nee Chafe) of St. John’s Newfoundland and his wife. There address at the time was Suite 4, Holyrood Court, Winnipeg, MB. His occupation – Physician. His ‘Medical Examination’ listed his as “Fit”.
Reported he enlisted in British Columbia. 5’ 11”, Girth: 37”, Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Lt. Brown. He had a dental bridge Rt. Upper teeth. Medically Fit. 2/06/1915 at Victoria, BC. to the CAMC. His next of kin:- Mrs. Peter McAskill of Highgate, ON. To 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Jessie Lucinda (nee Chafe) of St. John’s Newfoundland. his wife. There address at the time was Suite 4, Holyrood Court, Winnipeg, MB. His occupation – Physician. His ‘Medical Examination’ listed his as “Fit”.
Lieut. McCann embarked from Canada 22/05/18. He disembarked at Boulage 22/09/15. His wife had changed address again to Suite 9, Jessie Block, Winnipeg, MB.
Lieut. McCann was given a ‘Medical Board’ (MB) over concern that he suffered from Supperative Otitis Media (left ear) a result of “Scarlet Fever” that he had at two years old and off and on thereafter occasionally. As a result the MB ruled that he was “Fit for garrison duty only and unfit for General Service overseas with the Active Force.
Supperative Otitis Media: It is defined as the presence of non-infectious fluid in the middle ear for more than three months. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is middle ear inflation of greater than two weeks that results in episodes of discharge from the ear It may be a complication of acute otitis media. As a result of this he was limited to working in hospitals. Captain McCann was granted leave 7/01/17 to 21/01/17 and 26/05/17 to 26/05/17 to 9/06/17 (likely to rest from the results of the battle of Vimy Ridge. JRH).
In June 9th 1917 he reported to 3rd Cdn. Stationary Hospital. He was transferred to No.1 Cdn. General Hospital. He was granted a 14 day leave.
As a result Lieut. McCann was TOS to the CAMC Reserve and assigned to Shorncliffe Hospital for reassignment. He was transferred 1/10/18 to the Kemmel Segregation Camp Rhyl, Wales for duty. 1/11/18 he was TOS posting from No. 5 Cdn. General Hospital at Liverpool. He was reassigned to Camp Kimmell and on 3/01/19 he was made Temporary Captain in the CAMC– London Gazette No. 31103.
McCann sailed for Canada 15/07/19 aboard the S. S. Regina from Liverpool. He disembarked 23/07/19 and was Discharged due to Demobilization 8/08/1919.
March 6th 1919 for the first time he was with the 9th Field Ambulance. 25/03/19 McAskill. Major McCann sailed for Canada 15/07/19 aboard the S. S. Regina from Liverpool. He disembarked 23/07/19 and was Discharged due to Demobilization 8/08/1919.
In 1921 Dr. and Mrs. McCann resided at 243 Ruby, Winnipeg, MB., they then had two sons Ronald Glenn 2 years old (1918 – 1983) and John Warren 2 months old (1921 – 1942) and James Allan (1922 – 2005).
Both Ronald and John would serve in WWII in the RCAF. Sadly John Warren P/O. J10138 serving in 405 Sqd. would be KIA 1/10/1942 and is buried in the Keil War Cemetery, Germany.
Dr. Albert Sidney McCann passed away 5 January, 1963 and is buried at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg. His wife died in 1966.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Awards | M.C. |
| Sources | Anne Fisher, LAC-FMF, CVWM |
| Age | 27 yrs. 4 mths. |
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