ANZAC Heroes | Great War 1914 – 1918

Bunbury – Wellington District Western Australia

SPENCER, Frank

SPENCER, Frank

Full Name: Frank

SPENCER

Date of Birth: 12

–

1884

Place of birth: Adelaide SA

Australia

Occupation: Mill Hand

Address: Wellington Mills WA

Next of Kin: Wife- Alice May Spencer

Next of Kin Address: Wellington Mills WA

Religion: Church of England

Service Number: 5785A

Rank: Private

Unit/Division: 28th Battalion

Enlistment Date: 1916-03-27

Enlistment Location: Blackboy Hill

Western Australia

Embarkation Port:

Embarkation Date: 1916-10-30

Embarkation Ship:

Disembarkation Port:

Disembarkation Date: 1916-12-28

Locations Served:

,

Returned: No

Discharge Date:

Cause of Death: KILLED IN ACTION

Date of Death:

Place of Death: Mont St Quentin, FRANCE

Age at Death: 33

Burial Location: Assevillers New British Cemetery France- Plot 5, Row A, Grave 8.

27/03/1916- To 58 Depot Company as Private
11/04/1916- To 51st Battalion 4th Reinforcements
14/09/1916- To 44th Battalion 6th Reinforcements
17/10/1916- To 27th Battalion 16th Reinforcements
29/12/1916- To 7th Training Battalion Rollestone England ex Australia
9/01/1917- Admitted Fargo Military Hospital England ( Laryngitis )
15/01/1917- Discharged to Duty England
2/03/1917- Rejoined 7th Training Battalion Rollestone
22/05/1917- Proceeded Overseas 2nd Australian Division Base Depot Etaples France ex Southampton ex Rollestone
9/06/1917- Joined 27th Battalion in the field France ex Base Depot
12/06/1917- Transferred 28th Battalion in the field France
7/07/1917- Appointed LANCE CORPORAL in the field France
3/08/1917- Admitted 58th General Hospital France ( Sick ) ex 7th Australian Field Ambulance
21/08/1917- To No. 7 Convalescent Depot Boulogne France
25/08/1917- To No. 10 Convalescent Depot Ecault France
14/10/1917- Rejoined Battalion in the field France ex Base Depot
14/11/1917- Promoted TEMPORARY CORPORAL in the field France
23/02/1918- Reverts to rank Private at Own Request
9/03/1918- Granted Leave England
26/03/1918- Rejoined Battalion in the field France ex Leave
29/08/1918- KILLED  IN  ACTION Mont St Quentin, France

 

SOLDIERS DEATH – INFORMANT – 2375- Pte. RILEY, T – 28th BATTALION

‘ During the advance towards Mont St. Quentin on August 29th 1918, Spencer and his mate were going across open country when a machine gun opened fire on them, they took cover in a shell hole  and the fire died down , when he raised his head to locate the position and he was sniped right through the head and killed instantly.  He was a particular friend of mine  and I got the above information from  the chap who was with him  at the time  who was also a close friend of his, and can vouch for the truth  of the statement.  His body was recovered and buried  and cross erected , but I cannot supply the place. His complexion was inclined towards dark, medium height and heavily built  and between 25 and 30 years of age, married and came from Western Australia , left in about the 17th or 17th Reinforcements , was extremely popular  and had a jolly disposition.  Was a Corporal but reverted  to the ranks at his own request about March 1918 “.

 

Service Medals Awarded

British War Medal – No. 51038

Victory Medal – No. 50397

Commemorative Plaque/Scroll – No. 351029

 

Memorial Inscription

Australian War Memorial Canberra – Panel No. 114.