Francis Thomas Briggs

Francis Thomas Briggs

Personal Information
Date of Birth	28 Jun 1924
Place of Birth	Byford, Western Australia
Death	8 Sep 2011, aged 87
Place of Death	Mandurah, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	17 years, 10 months
Occupation	brick maker
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Robert Hanham Briggs
Military Information
Reg Number	W69551 & 83706
Date of Enlistment	26 Apr 1942 & 4 Sep 1943
Rank	Private & Leading Aircraftsman
Unit/Formation	3rd (Swan) VDC Battalion & No. 481 Squadron RAAF
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia

Pre War

Francis Thomas Briggs was born on 28 Jun 1925 according to the Briggs family tree - a date that does not match his date of birth given at enlistment, which was 28 Jun 1924. Frank was the son of Robert Hanham Briggs (sometimes known as Anham Briggs) and Vera Victoria Elizabeth Briggs (nee White). Frank had seven siblings. The Briggs family were farmers at Byford and had previously farmed at Jandakot.

War Service

On 26 Apr 1942 Francis enlisted in the 3rd (Swan) VDC Battalion, but on 17 Dec 1942 he was struck off strength for non attendance at parades.

Frank enlisted with the RAAF at the No. 5 Embarkation Depot RAAF's Reception Section on 31 Aug 1943, mustered as a Guard. On 4 Sep 1943 he was posted to the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Depot at Busselton to undertake preliminary training. On 3 Nov 1943 he transferred to No. 1 Recruit Depot RAAF at Shepparton in Victoria. Training completed, he was posted to the staff of No. 4 Embarkation Depot RAAF in Adelaide.

Discharged from the RAAF on 24 May 1946.

Post War

On 19 Apr 1951 Frank married Kathleen Teresa Reid in the local area. On 3 Dec 1977 he remarried this time to Dawn Ruth Johns.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Sussex Farm, Byford, farmhand; 1954 - 1963 at Thomas street, Armadale, brickyard hand; 1968 at Jull street, Armadale, brickyard hand; 1977 - 1980 at Lot 766 Yeedong road, Falcon