MOON, Frederick Thomas
| Service Number: | 2991 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 2991, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 2991, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Melbourne |
The Anzac Legacy
The Anzac Legacy
Many years ago a young boy grew up in the then working class suburbs of Balmain/Rozelle in Sydney New South Wales, and it so happened that from the age of five this young Australian was volunteered to accompany his great grandfather Frederick Thomas Moon, who was a member of the 31st Battalion, 5th Division AIF, to the Anzac Day March through the city streets of Sydney.
Importantly, in those days it was frowned upon by authorities at the time for the young boy to provide assistance to his great grandfather so that this Anzac could participate in the march and spend some time with his battalion mates. If a marshal was close by checking out the formations before going on parade members of the 31st Battalion would surround the boy to shield him from being noticed.
The boy would hide under the coat of this Anzac and act like a pillar for the man to lean on for over a period of five years until at the age of ten the boy lost his greatest friend.
The old man who had put his age up from 16 to 18 years left from Melbourne Australia on board the HMAT Anchises A68 to fight for his country. During the years overseas participating in many theatres of war this veteran was gassed and shot, which eventually made him the shell of the man he used to be. However this Anzac left his great grandson with a special legacy which has endured to this present day. You see, not one Anzac Day passes without that young boy, now a man, does not remember this most wonderful human being, a role model for him in later life.
Today it is accepted that many young people should have the opportunity to wear the family service medals of a former Anzac, an individual who has fought for their country during time of war or conflict. This is not done to glorify war but to honour the memory of those loved ones who gave their health and life for their country.
So if any individual wishes to march on Anzac Day wearing the medals of a father, grandfather or member of the family, like the boy in this story, they are welcomed by the veterans and community members who march. In this way the sacrifices of those Australians who gave their life for their nation will always endure in the hearts and minds of future generations.
Written by: Terry O’Toole in memory of his Great Grandfather Frederick Thomas Moon, runner 31st Battalion, 5th Division AIF
Submitted 7 April 2015 by Terry O'Toole