Righton Cavanagh
CAVANAGH, Righton John Vaughan, BE MIEAust MC (1892-1957)
Righton was born in Perth, on May 10, 1892, the second son of John Cavanagh and his wife May Harriet Cavanagh (nee Gibbs). He was educated at the Sisters of Mercy Convent School Newcastle (Toodyay) and then at Christian Brothers College Perth. He commenced a drafting cadetship with the Public Works Department (PWD) on February 23, 1910. The following year he commenced an engineering cadetship with the PWD.
His father had died in 1900 from pneumonia and his mother remarried, marrying Frederick George Ashbourne Treadgold in 1902.
In 1913 he was one of 27 foundation students in the Engineering Faculty at the University of Western Australia. He was one of eight students to successfully complete First Year. In 1914 he was a Member of the Guild of Undergraduates Committee.
He enlisted in March 1916 in the 6th Tunnelling Corps but later that year was transferred to the 3rd Tunnelling Corps. He saw active service in France, was wounded twice. The first was a scalp wound from a mine explosion. The second was a fracture to the base of his skull. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in removing mines and traps including delay action mines from under key railway lines. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
In 1919, he was able to study Municipal Engineering at Kings College University, London. He returned to Australia and was demobilised on January 13, 1920.
Righton returned to the Public Works as a Junior Assistant Engineer on May 1, 1920 and moved to the Metropolitan Water Supply and Drainage Board (MWSSDB). He was Resident Engineer on the Bickley Brook Reservoir and the Churchman’s Brook Reservoir. In 1928 he became Principal Assistant Engineer of the MWSSDB.
In 1923 he married Doris Annie Dethridge and they had four children, two boys and two girls.
In 1939 he returned to the PWD as Chief Engineer Goldfields Water Supply but only until January 16, 1941, when he was promoted to Engineer for Metropolitan Water Supply in the MWSSDB. He retired in March 1954, suffering ill health.
Righton had joined the Institution of Engineers as an Associate Member in 1928, becoming a full Member in 1938. He also served on the Canning River Irrigation Advisory Committee, The Swan River Reference Committee and the Purity of Water Committee.
Righton died on September 16, 1957, in Subiaco, aged 65. He was survived by his wife who lived to be 102 years old.
References:
West Australian, 17.1.1941, p. 10.
West Australian, 25.3.1954, p. 7.
National Archives Australia, Canberra; Cavanagh. Lieut. Righton John (Military Cross) - Service Number: Unknown, Date of Birth: 01/01/1893, 1914-1918; A14290, 40.
Water Corporation, Remembering our very own for Remembrance Day, 10.11.2022.
