Michael CANTWELL was born 16 May 1867 at Patricks Plain, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. His parents' names: Patrick CANTWELL born 1827 Clough, Kilkenny, Ireland and Suzannah MCCROHON born 1836 Parramatta, NSW.

In 1894 at Greta NSW he married Honora KENNA (alias Hendra KENNA, Honorah KAINNAH, also known as Norah). Honora was born 1868 at Musswellbrook NSW to parents: Michael KENNA and Mary DUNNE. Much more is now known about the KENNA clan provided by a CANTWELL descendant recently September 2007.

Michael & Honora CANTWELL had 8 children:-

1.Patrick Louis CANTWELL born 22/1/1895 Singleton NSW, died 24/1/1977 Ashfield NSW. Married (1) Agnes Margaret MOLLET, 7 children. Married (2) Kathleen Vera RYAN.

2.Michael Henry CANTWELL born 5/5/1896 Singleton NSW.
Notes: Company Sergeant Major Michael Henry CANTWELL, ser no 2974, 55 Bn Australian Infantry, AIF, died on 30 September 1918 at the age of 22. He was buried at the Roisel Communal Cemetery extension, Somme, France, in grave II H 16. His parents were Michael and Honorah CANTWELL of Vermont, 11 Ross Street, Dulwich Hill, NSW, Australia. Michael Henry CANTWELL was born at Singleton, NSW, Australia. Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

3.Mary Josephine CANTWELL born 21/5/1898 Singleton NSW, died 28/12/1987 Dulwich Hill NSW aged 89 years. Never married.

4.William Joseph CANTWELL born 3/4/1901 Singleton NSW, died 6/7/1979 Newcastle NSW. Notes: Alias: Willie Cantwell
William Joseph CANTWELL, ser. no. NX70430, enlisted in the Australian Army on 11 November 1940 at Ashfield, NSW, Australia. He was born on 3 April 1901 at Singleton, NSW, Australia, while his locality on enlistment was Ashfield, NSW, Australia. William Joseph CANTWELL's next of kin was Michael CANTWELL. William Joseph CANTWELL was discharged on 22 May 1944 with the rank of captain. His final posting was with 18 Infantry Brigade. Became a Catholic Priest.

5.Eileen Agnes CANTWELL born 3/3/1904 Singleton NSW, died 11/12/1993 Tamworth NSW. Married 26/1/1931 Dulwich Hill NSW to Hayward KELLY 1902-1982, 4 children. Hayward was the son of Richard KELLY 1873-1957 of Pallal NSW and Catherine HEUSTON 1879-1944 of Lochinvar NSW.

6.Frances Rose CANTWELL born 29/3/1907 Singleton NSW, died 28/4/2002 Concord NSW. Married 19/1/1944 Marrickville NSW to John Joseph CLUNE 1887-1986. One son.

7.Irene Catherine CANTWELL born 30 Apr 1909 Singleton NSW, died 11 Jun 2005 Marsfield, Sydney NSW. Never married.

8.Alphonsus Lawrence CANTWELL born 24/8/1912 Singleton NSW, died 30/7/2002 Emu Plains NSW. Married in 1940 at Ashfield NSW to Dorothy Emily DAY abt1912-13/10/1997. Three children.

Information sources of data: Oral family history, D.Johnstone, NSW BDM Index, World War II Nominal Roll, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, R.Rynne (photograph) and of late Robert Cantwell.

NB Michael CANTWELL was a brother to my g.grandfather Lawrence Martin CANTWELL.


1891 Wedding of Michael CANTWELL and Honora KENNA at Greta, New South Wales, Australia.