DENNIS, Francis James
| Service Number: | 2260 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 January 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 3 Battalion Imperial Camel Corps |
| Born: | Quorn, South Australia, 11 October 1895 |
| Home Town: | Quorn, Flinders Ranges, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Quorn Public School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Palestine, 6 November 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Beersheba War Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Quorn District Roll of Honor WW1 Board, Quorn Roll of Honor, Quorn War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2260, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2260, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Bakara embarkation_ship_number: A41 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2260, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Bakara, Adelaide | |
| 6 Nov 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Trooper, 2260, 3 Battalion Imperial Camel Corps, Battle of Beersheba, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2260 awm_unit: 3 Battalion Imperial Camel Corps awm_rank: Trooper awm_died_date: 1917-11-06 |
Letter to Parents
I am in the possession of a letter from 1918 sent to the parents of Francis (Frank) James Dennis, who was my grandmother's (Alice Pearl Fuchs, nee Dennis) eldest brother.
The photos show the letter but I would like to transcribe it below so that it is preserved, for it is evidence of the heroic actions of Francis Dennis who died in on Nov 6 1917, WW1.
The letter, dated 25/9/18, transcribed word for word, is as follows;
page 1.....
Dear Mr and Mrs Dennis,
A few hasty lines in reply to your letter just to hand. I am so sorry you did not get Franks belt and things. Black and Footner undertook to see to all of them and I had hoped they had done so. I had them say they sent it along. Poor Frank had a sovereign he brought from Aust and he always wanted it to go back. I remember long ago in the Sinia we had not been paid for many weeks no one had any money and could not get a cigarette. Frank said I am sorely tempted to put this into the canteen and see if I can arrange for them to hold it until payday and I will buy it back of them. I said I wouldn't be to sure about it because I got beat once myself in asking the canteen to keep a silver 5/- piece so he would not part with it. I think he said his father gave it to him. I will see Footner and Black and see who did send it home. I had my hands full at time of Nov 6 I had a couple of pals killed and I left Franks things in
page 2 (on back of page 1).....
our other bosom pal Alec Wright was killed about 20 minutes before Frank was hit him and Frank side by side. I got a photo of their graves and sent one home to Mrs Wright. I will get one of Franks for you for certain. Perhaps not for a while as you will see by papers. I am pleased Major Nobbs wrote and I can tell you your lads actions always were admirable. Scotty Black was No 1 on the gun, Frank No 2, if No 1 is hit No 2 takes his place. Well Scotty was not hit yet Frank had the gun out on the ridge and done good work. Well if poor lad had of lived it would not be Black wearing the D.C.M. for it was Frank and Alec Wright won them got killed and Footner and Black got them the least said the better. But I would like you to understand things as they were. I am in great haste now so will close in haste your sincere friend
3rd Aust Machine Gun Squadron
3rd Aust Light Horse Brigade
T M Colbert
and at top of page written upside down......
will write later you will understand my hurry much doing.
Submitted 16 August 2018 by Jo Foster
Click images to start slideshow.