VENESS, Frederick Maxwell
| Service Numbers: | 1342, 1342A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Bombardier |
| Last Unit: | 10th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Bathurst, New South Wales, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Bathurst, Bathurst Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | All Saint's College; Bathurst District School; Sydney University |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 5 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Frechencourt Communal Cemetery Row B, Grave 14 Headstone Inscription "THOUGH LOST TO SIGHT TO MEMORY DEAR", Frechencourt Communal Cemetery, Frechencourt, Amiens, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bathurst Public School Roll of Honour, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 1342, 1st Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Pera embarkation_ship_number: A4 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 1342, 1st Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Pera, Sydney | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Involvement Bombardier, 1342A, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1342A awm_unit: 10th Australian Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Bombardier awm_died_date: 1918-04-05 | |
| 27 May 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 14th October, 1917, near ZONNEBEKE YPRES. This gunner in spite of heavy shell fire assisted in maintaining visual signalling between the Observation Station and his Battery during important registration. His work throughout the operations from 9th September, 1917, to date has been excellent.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Son of Daniel Frederick William and Amy Letitia VENESS, of 136 Peel Street, Bathurst, New South Wales.
KILLED IN ACTION
BOMBADIER MAX. VENESS.
PROMISING CAREER CUT SHORT
The sad news was received this morning by Canon Wilton, in a cable message from Base Records, that Bombadier; Frederick Maxwell Veness, only son of Mr. and Mrs. D, F. W. Veness, of Peel and Howick Streets, was killed in action on the west front in France, on April 5. Canon Wilton conveyed the message to Mr. Veness at the Town Hall. The shock was so great that Mr. Veness was obliged to return to his home. Wide spread sympathy was expressed when the news became known, for 'Max' was a young fellow who was universally esteemed, as are also his parents.
"Max" Veness, as he was familiarly known, was born in Peel Street, and received his education at All Saints' College. He then ent to the Sydney University, where he matriculated, after which he entered an accountant's office in Sydney, and was to have sat for the intermediate examination in accountancy the week after he enlisted. Being a smart and studious lad, he made great headway in his studies; but in August, 1915, he heard the call from the trenches, and could not fail to answer it. Though only 19 years of age, he enlisted, and on October 13 of that year left with the First Australian Light Horse, he arrived at Suez on November 13 and went into action on December 13 in Tripoli against the Arabs.
After fighting some time against the Arabs, he was transferred to the artillery, and he, like many others, became tired of the monotony of desert life and desired to go across to France. While there he went through the signalling school with much distinction. He worked his way up the ladder of fame inch by inch, and about the end of last year was awarded the Military Medal.
On January 31 last Mr. Veness received the following message of congratulation from Allan A. Evans, Major, O.C. 110th Howitzer Battery. A.F.A. : 'I wish to offer you, on be half of the officers of this battery, our heartiest congratulations, as your son has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field; and we can assure you none of us have ever been associated with a pluckier lad. We are now out of the line having a well-earned rest, and are making ourselves comfortable for a few weeks.' Shortly after being, awarded the Military Medal, Gunner Veness was made a Bombadier.
The late Bombadier Veness would have been 22 years' of age last Tuesday.