Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

14/07/1942

Date of Discharge

13/12/1945

Place of Enlistment

Port Moresby, Papua

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

12/10/1908

Place of Birth

Casino NSW

Address (at enlistment)

London Circuit, Canberra ACT

Occupation

Bank officer

Next of Kin

Albertina McCrackan (mother), Coogee NSW

Service Number

NX128778 (N43052)

Final Rank

Captain

Final Unit

2/3 Australian Infantry Battalion

Military Cross (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 20 September 1945; page 2023, position 8)

McCrackan worked for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in its Civic branch. He joined the 3rd Battalion militia on 3 September 1939, was appointed a Lieutenant in August 1940 and a Captain in February 1942. He embarked for Port Moresby in May 1942 with the 3rd Battalion and joined the AIF on 14 July 1942. McCrackan and the 3rd Battalion entered the Kokoda Track on 5 September 1942 and fought for 100 days from Imita and Ioribaiwa to Templetons Crossing, Oivi and finally at Gona on the north coast of Papua before returning to Australia in January 1943.

The 3rd Battalion were disbanded in March 1943 and McCrackan was transferred to 3/22 Battalion and then as a Captain to the 2/3 Battalion. In February 1945 his unit arrived in Aitape, New Guinea. On 1 and 2 June 1945 McCrackan's company engaged the Japanese on Hill 910 near Wewak. The hill dominated the track between Boram airfield and Koigin. McCrackan's company attacked the hill but, despite being badly wounded during hand-to-hand fighting, he carried on fighting until the position was taken and was awarded the Military Cross for his actions. 

After returning to Australia McCrackan married in November 1945. He later moved to Ballina where he died on 28 July 1994.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
AWM Honours & Awards
Colin Kennedy, 'Port Moresby to Gona Beach. 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion 1942', 1992
Gavin Long, 'Australia in the War of 1939-1945', Vol. VII (p.370)
NAA RecordSearch