Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Frederick William Hamer (Service No. 644), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Frederick William Hamer was born on 26 August 1893 at Dugandan, near Boonah in south-east Queensland, to Conrad and Bertha Hamer (née Schmoekel). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane in June 1916, aged 22, giving his occupation as farmer and naming his father, Conrad Hamer, as his next of kin.

Private Hamer embarked for active service on 11 May 1917 and disembarked at Devonport, England, on 20 July. Shortly after arrival, he was admitted to an isolation hospital suffering from mumps and was discharged a month later. On 20 October he marched out to the Machine Gun Training Depot.

On 9 April 1918, Hamer proceeded overseas to France and marched into the Machine Gun Base Depot at Camiers, ex England. On 16 April he was taken on strength with the 5th Machine Gun Battalion. On 24 April 1918, he was wounded in action, suffering from gas poisoning, and admitted to the 4th General Hospital. His condition was serious, and he was transferred to the Military Hospital at Blerne Bay with severe gas shell wounds, later being treated in auxiliary hospitals in England.

By 31 May 1918, Hamer had recovered sufficiently to rejoin the 3rd Command Depot. He subsequently marched out to the 1st Command Depot and, in July 1918, joined the Overseas Training Brigade before again proceeding to France in September, where he rejoined his unit. In November, as the war drew to a close, he was hospitalised with influenza and transferred to England.

On 17 March 1919, Frederick embarked for return to Australia aboard HMAT Plassy, arriving in Melbourne on 30 April 1919 before proceeding to Brisbane. He was formally discharged from the A.I.F. on 22 March 1920.
Following his return to Australia, he was recorded in 1921 working as a farm hand in the Boonah region. Between 1925 and 1949, he was living in Brisbane and employed as a labourer.

Private Frederick William Hamer died on 7 June 1953, aged 59, and was buried three days later in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was unmarried and had no known children.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity has now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.