Frederick James Powell
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail 15 Nov 1918 p.19 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Guildford, Western Australia |
| Death | 30 Aug 1918 |
| Place of Death | Mont Saint Quentin, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 26 years old |
| Description | 5'5" (1.65m) tall; weight 125 lbs (56.7 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Post Office, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Emily Maud Powell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5066 |
| Date of Enlistment | 13 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcements, A Company (Lewis gunner) / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 29 Aug 1918 Died of those Wounds 30 Aug 1918 |
| Monument | Armadale (Armadale panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Married Emily Maud Dawson in 1914 (Canning).
War Service
Records for his four months at Blackboy Hill camp are missing.
On arrival in England Frederick joined the 7th Training Battalion in Rolleston before proceeding to France on SS Princess Henriette from Folkestone on 2 Nov 1916 to join No 2 Base in Étaples.
On 18 Nov 1916 was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion when it moved out of the line to the Fricourt Camp in the Albert area. In Apr 1917 Fred spent a few days in hospital in Rouen with Influenza before it became worse and he needed to be evacuated to England.
On arrival he spent time in the University War Hospital until he was released on 1 Oct 1917. Spent a few days at Croyden before moving to No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth and then to No3 Command Depot in Hurdcott. Eventually on 7 Feb 1918 he was judged to be fit to resume hostilities and was sent back to France, rejoining the 28th Battalion in Belgium on 13 Feb 1918.
On 29 Aug 1918 the battalion was continuing the very successful advance along the Somme, taking Flaucourt and continuing forward before meeting strong resistance at Biaches Wood on the banks of the Somme opposite Péronne. During the day, Fred received shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and to one knee.
Private P.H. Henry 5024 told the Red Cross how he saw him wounded by shrapnel about 11:00am just after they had reached their objective. Henry (Powell's No2 on the Lewis gun) dressed his wounds and left him in a shell hole for protection. An NCO in his company saw him wounded by a shell in front of Péronne, and saw him being carried off by a couple of stretcher bearers to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance and then to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station where he died.
"Enlisted 28th February, 1916; sailed with the 13th Reinforcements of the 28th Battalion. In firing line."[1]
Post War
In Dec 1918, Emily had moved from Armadale to Cecil street, Victoria Park.
AN ARMADALE MEMORIAL.St. Matthew's Church, Armadale, was crowded on Sunday afternoon last when his Grace the Archbishop of Perth unveiled a memorial tablet to the memory of Frederick James Powell, who died of wounds in France in August, 1918.
The deceased soldier was before the war a consistent and devoted member of the church and a member of the choir. His widow has erected a memorial tablet near the seat he used to occupy. Miss Wilson presided at the organ, and Mr Witney sounded "The' Last Post."
Many of the returned soldiers of the district were present, and formed a guard of honour to his Grace, both on entering and leaving the church; they were in command of Capt. Adams and Lieut. Scott.[2]
Notes
Buried at DAHOURS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Lot VIII, Row B, Grave 11. 4.4 km west of Corbie. Son of Frederick Elijah and Minnie Powell, of Armadale, Western Australia.