MAZZA, Frank
| Service Number: | 2640 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Daylesford. Victoria, Australia, June 1887 |
| Home Town: | East Perth, Perth Water, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2640, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2640, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2640, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Fremantle | |
| 8 Dec 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Sapper, 3rd Field Company Engineers | |
| 9 Nov 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3rd Field Company Engineers | |
| 15 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2640, 3rd Field Company Engineers, 5th MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Darren Prickett author - Purple Patch
Notable Member of 3FCE –
Lance Corporal Frank Mazza
Frank Mazza was born at Daylesford, Victoria in 1890. He was awarded the Royal Humane Society of Australasia’s Clarke Medal for bravery during the Marvel Loch gold mine disaster that occurred on 13 November 1914. A mine collapse had killed one of Frank’s colleagues, and trapped him and another. Mazza was knocked over by the initial cave-in but he immediately returned to release his trapped mate, who he moved to a place of safety in the shaft, this occurring while earth, rock and timber were falling around them. They were safe for the time being, but their troubles had only just begun as the mine collapse had entombed them. It took three days before a mine rescue team could tunnel through to release them. [1]
For his actions during the disaster, the Clarke medal of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia was bestowed upon Frank Mazza. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia was created in 1874 as the Victorian Humane Society, becoming The Royal Humane Society of Australasia in 1882. The Clarke medal was established in 1881, through a grant to the Humane Society by Sir William Clarke. The first object of the Society was to bestow award upon people who risked their lives to save others; the second object was to assist recipients who were disadvantaged or disabled as a result of their brave actions, or to assist their surviving dependents. [2]
On 28 June 1915 he enlisted with the 11th Battalion in the AIF at Perth, Western Australia. At the time of enlistment, Frank noted his occupation as miner. Frank embarked for overseas service on 2 September 1915. On 8 December 1915 he was transferred from 11th Battalion to 3rd Field Company Engineers. Frank’s personnel file details that he was taken on strength of 3FCE at Gallipoli. By that time, the company had been withdrawn from the peninsular however a limited number of 3FCE personnel were still ashore. Frank served with 3FCE for the remainder of the war. Following the armistice, on 31 March 1919, he left England for return to Australia. Frank Discharged from the AIF on 15 July 1919. [3]
Endnotes
[1] The Argus (Melbourne), 17 July 1915
[2]https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/57562 [accessed 16 June 2021]
[3] NAA B2455 Barcode 8006430 – Personnel File of Frank Mazza
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