Dennis Douglas Frye
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 Apr 1907 |
| Place of Birth | Whitelsford, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Death | 9 Aug 2005, aged 98 |
| Place of Death | Ferndale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 34 years, 9 months |
| Description |
5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 186lbs 84.368 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; dark hair ; scar on left forearm |
| Occupation | Orchardist |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'Naval Base Orchard', Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Muriel Alice Frye |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W21537 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Jan 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
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| Plaque Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 April 1907 |
| Age at Death | 98 years |
| Transcription | In Loving Memory of Dennis Douglas Frye Born 17/04/1907 Died 09/09/2005 Aged 98 Years |
References
Early Life
Dennis Douglas Frye was born in Whittlesford a village in England, on 17th April, 1907. His parents were Ernest Charles Townsend Frye and May Olivia Douglas. As a young man Dennis worked for The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals. In 1927 he visited Western Australia to explore farming opportunities, arriving in Fremantle aboard SS Moreton Bay on 11 Aug 1927. He worked on properties at Yoting and Dalwallinu. But the depression of the 1930s killed his farming ambitions. With a friend he went rabbit trapping.
Marriage
On 19 Aug 1933, Dennis married Muriel Alice Bustin (1911 - 1967), a girl with whom he had worked at the sick animal dispensary, years before. On the same day that they were married, Dennis and Muriel set off by ship to live in Kelmscott, WA. The arrived in Fremantle aboard the SS Ormonde on 19 Sep 1933. The first child of Dennis and Muriel, Marion Olivia, was born in 1935. She was followed by Wendy Charlotte in 1943. In 1960 Dennis and Muriel visited England, arriving back in Fremantle in June. In 1967 Muriel died at 56 years of age. Dennis then married Hilda Rose (1908 - 1996) his first girlfriend back in England.
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1934 - 1943 at 'Coonalpyn', Albany road, Kelmscott, orchardist.
War Service
On 26 Jan 1942 Dennis enlisted at the General Details Camp in Claremont, but appears to have been rejected due to him being in a protected occupation. On 22 Mar 1942 he enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps at Armadale, and was allocated to the 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion. On 6 Nov 1943 his Army number was changed to W21537 from W67655 and on 30 Aug 1944 he was discharged at his own request.
Post War
For many long years Dennis gave freely to the youth of the area, acting as their Scout Master. He later went on to become the area’s District Commissioner. Dennis became well known and respected in the district as a member of the Progress Association, the Hall Committee, the Kelmscott Agricultural Society and many other sporting groups.
He was Vice President of the Kelmscott Agricultural Society for three years from 1945 to 1947 and again in 1961 to 1971. This led to his inauguration as a "Life Member" of this organisation in 1976. He dedicated 14 years to the Armadale –Kelmscott Roads Board, from 1946-1952 and again from 1962-1970. Frye Park in Clifton Street, opened in 1972, is named after him and his family.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 at 'Coonalpyn', Kelmscott, orchardist; 1968 - 1980 at 2674 Albany highway, Kelmscott, orchardist