Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Melville Wesley Fradd was born on 06 May 1894 in Minburra, Burra, South Australia, the third son of William Phillip and Hannah Tasker Fradd (nee Warner).

The Fradd family moved to Beetaloo Valley around 1898 and Melville was one of seven children. He was working on the family farm at Beetaloo (Sections 190-192 Hundred of Howe) when he enlisted.

Melville and his brother Walter enlisted together on the 23rd May 1916 in Adelaide.
About 2 weeks after enlisting Melville was admitted to the camp hospital at Wayville with a fever.

On the 12th June he was transferred to Keswick Military Hospital, but his condition continued to deteriorate and on the 21st June he was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in North Adelaide, where he died on the 25th June 1916 from measles and bronchial pneumonia. Two other recruits died of meningitis on the same day.

Private Melville Fradd was buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide in Road 5, Row 5E Grave 52.
Because he died before the A.I.F. section was established, Melville's grave is in the general section of the cemetery. His family erected a headstone which had deteriorated with time. A small plaque with Melville’s military details has been placed at the foot of the grave.
His mother Hannah received a pension of 20 shillings a fortnight from the 26th June 1916.

"He left his home in health and strength
To answer his country’s call;
He gave his life, he gave his best
For you for me for all;
On Australia’s Roll Of Honour
You'll find our dear boy's name"

Memorian notice for Melville Fradd placed by his parents
The Chronicle 30 June 1917

Melville is commemorated on the:
1. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, panel 186
2. South Australian National War Memorial, Adelaide
3. Honour Board in the Laura Civic Centre

There is some mystery as to the criteria used to select whose names would be commemorated on the Laura War Memorial. His name was not included presumably because he did not serve overseas. It is worth noting that the nearby Caltowie community chose to include on their memorial, a man who also died while training in Adelaide.