OSGOOD, Harry Albert
| Service Number: | 351 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles |
| Born: | Bromley, Kent, England, 1867 |
| Home Town: | Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic., 18 February 1930, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne COE, Comp R, Section 12, Grave 36 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 351, 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles |
|---|
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of George OSGOOD-CANNON and Augusta nee CLARKE
Died as Harry Albert OSGOOD-CANNON
OSGOOD-CANNON - On the 18th February, at Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Harry Albert Osgood-Cannon, superintendent of Victoria Civil Amublance Service, beloved husband of Sophie, and loving father of Vera, Lyndsay and Syliva. Aged 63 years
FOUNDER OF AMBULANCE SERVICE DIES
The death occurred today after a long illness of Mr H.A. Osgood Cannon, chief officer and founder of the Victorial Civil Amublance Service.
Mr. Cannon, who was born in Bromley, Kent, 63 years ago, came to Australia as a young man and assisted in the building of Prince's Bridge.
He fought in the South African war as a warrant officer, and on his return to Melbourne interested himself in ambulance and first aid work.
In 1903 he founded the present Victorian Civil Ambulance service, which was established under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association, and later when the service expanded he was appointed superintendent and chief officer.
In 1926 he took a trip to England and the Continent, where he visited numerous ambulance stations, with the result that many important improvements were made in the ambulance service on his return.
When Mr Cannon founded the ambulance serivce 27 years ago, there was only one employee beside himself, and the equipment consisted of one horse-drawn ambulance.
The demand for service continued to increase rapidly, and in 1908 five horse-drawn ambulances were in use, the number of cases carried in that year being 4090.
With the increasing number of calls, and particularly because of the demand from distant districts, it was decided in 1910 to purchase a motor ambulance.
The fleet in which Mr Cannon took a particular pride, was added to at frequent periods until today there are 10 motor ambulances and a staff of 30.
Mr. Cannon was a prominent Freemason.
In 1920 he was grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons and in 1922 he was appointed past senior grand warden.
He was an active member of the Australia Felix of Hiram Lodge No 4.
Mr Cannon leaves a widow, two daughters and a son.
The funeral will leave the Victorian Civil Ambulance Depot, Londsdale Street, at 10am on Thursday for the Springvale Cemetery
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