Frazer Paterson Henderson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1894 |
| Place of Birth | Charters Towers, Queensland |
| Death | 4 Dec 1963, aged 69 |
| Place of Death | Leederville, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 2 months |
| Description |
5'9¼" (1.76m) tall ; 148 lbs 67.132 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Religion | Church of Christ |
| Address | c/- Post Office, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr David Henderson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6143 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Oct 1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Field Company Engineers, 13th Reinforcement, later transferred to 15th Field Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1916 ‒ 27 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A54 Runic Fremantle to Alexandria |
| Date of Return | 2 Jan 1919 ‒ 8 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Karmala |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 20 Jul 1916 at Fromelles Wounded in Action 18 Aug 1916 at Mouquet Farm Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Within a month of entering camp, Frazer was reallocated from infantry reinforcements to Engineering reinforcements. Promoted Acting Corporal for the voyage to Alexandria.
In Egypt Frazer was taken on strength of the 15th Field Company - Engineers at Tel-el-Kebir on 18 Mar 1916, before spending a few days in hospital. They left Alexandria on 18 Jun 1916 and entered France via Marseilles on 29 Jun 1916 aboard HMT Kinfauns Castle.
Wounded in Action on 20 Jul 1916 at Fromelles with wounds to his left leg, his Field Company was busy repairing communication trenches near the Sugarloaf Salient. Treated by 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, on the same day he was admitted to 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, returning to an active unit on 15 Aug 1916 after a period in a convalescent depot.
On returning to active duty he was transferred to 1st Field Company - Engineers, joining them at Albert as they were moving to the front lines at La Boiselle between Albert and Pozieres. Wounded a second time almost immediately (18 Aug 1916) with gunshot wounds to his arm, leg and back as his company fought to keep communication and front line trenches fit for use. Treated by the 12th South Midland Field Ambulance, he passed through a Casualty Clearing Station and was admitted to hospital in France.
Recovered, he was sent back to the 15th Field Company, where on 1 Nov 1916 he was mustered as a Driver. On Christmas Day 1916 he reported to hospital sick with a septic foot. Discharged from hospital on 5 Jan 1917 he returned to his unit. On 25 Jun 1917 he was charged with failing to carry out the duties allocated to him at a grooming (horse) parade, for which he was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No.2 (see notes). In September 1917 he enjoyed a period of furlough in England, and again in August 1918.
As a result of his second leave he was required to enter the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital on 6 Sep 1918 with Venereal Disease before being released 84 days later on 28 Nov 1918. On his return to Australia he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 14 Apr 1919 'with debility'.
"...went in January, 1916 with the 15th Division of Engineers to Egypt, thence to France where he was twice wounded - last time near Armentiès. Back in firing line."[1]
The newspapers of the day report Frazer is listed in the 194th Casualty List as wounded.[2]
Post War
1920 married Hilda Annie Day in Perth. Hilda died 22 Oct 1979 aged 84.
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 at 441 Bagot road; Subiaco, carpenter; 1931 Piccadilly street, Kalgoorlie; 1936 - 37 at 6 Richardson terrace, Daglish; 1943-63 at 6 Argyle street, Leederville
Notes
Field punishment could be awarded by a court martial or a commanding officer for any offence committed on active service. There were two categories of field punishment. Field punishment No. 2 consisted of heavy labouring duties, and several hours a day shackled . All offenders awarded field punishment would march with their unit, carry their arms and accoutrements, perform all their military duties as well as extra fatigue duties, and be treated as defaulters.
- ↑ "The Drill of the Foot-Hills" (PDF) (1917). Western Australia. Mar 1917. p. 11. Retrieved 16 May 2017 – via State Library of Western Australia.
- ↑ "WESTERN AUSTRALIA.". The West Australian. XXXII, (4,487). Western Australia. 18 August 1916. p. 7. Retrieved 29 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.