James Cannan

James Harold Cannan
Major General James Cannan in 1944
Born	(1882-08-29)29 August 1882 Townsville, Queensland
Died	23 May 1976(1976-05-23) (aged 93) Spring Hill, Queensland
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1903–1946
Rank	Major General
Service number	VX89075
Commands held	2nd Division (1940) 2nd Brigade (1920–21) 11th Brigade (1916–19, 1921–25) 15th Battalion (1914–16) 8th Infantry (Oxley) Regiment (1914)
Battles/wars	First World War: Gallipoli Campaign Landing at Anzac Cove Battle of Sari Bair Western Front Battle of the Somme Battle of Pozières Battle of Mouquet Farm Battle of Messines Battle of Broodseinde Battle of Hamel Battle of Amiens Hundred Days Offensive Second World War: Salamaua-Lae campaign Finisterre Range campaign Huon Peninsula campaign New Britain campaign Aitape-Wewak campaign Bougainville campaign Borneo campaign
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Volunteer Decoration Mentioned in Despatches (6) Croix de guerre (Belgium)
Other work	Director of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in the South West Pacific (1946–47) Director of the Queensland division of the Australian Red Cross (1950–51) Director of the Services Canteens Trust (1948–57)

Major General James Harold Cannan, CB, CMG, DSO, VD (29 August 1882 – 23 May 1976) was an Australian Army brigadier general in the First World War and the Quartermaster General during the Second World War.

Cannan assumed command of the 15th Battalion in 1914 and landed with it at Anzac Cove on the evening of Anzac Day, 25 April 1915. The 15th Infantry Battalion garrisoned Quinn's Post, one of the most exposed parts of the Anzac perimeter, with Cannan as post commander. Later, Cannan led his battalion into action again on the Western Front at the Battle of Pozières and Battle of Mouquet Farm. He commanded the 11th Infantry Brigade at the Battle of Messines, the Battle of Broodseinde, and during the Hundred Days Offensive.

Between the wars Cannan worked at Insurance Office of Australia, becoming the manager of its Sydney office in 1932. He remained active in the Militia until he was placed on the unattached list in 1925. During the Second World War, Cannan was recalled to duty in 1940, first as Inspector General of Administration, and then as Quartermaster General. During the course of the war he visited operational areas to prepare and plan the logistical support of operations. Despite his immense responsibility and achievements, he received little recognition. He retired in 1946 as a major general, and was the last surviving Australian general of the First World War before his death in 1976.