Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 27th October…… Frederick Thomas Fryer was born at Rochester, England, possibly around 1876.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 6th April, 1915 stating he was a 34 year old, single, Labourer, of Mechanics’ Hotel, Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria. His friend Tim Clifford, of Mechanics’ Hotel, Bourke Street, Melbourne was listed as next-of-kin.

Private Frederick Thomas Fryer, Service number 560, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ulysses (A38) on 10th May, 1915 with the 6th Infantry Brigade, 21st Infantry Battalion “C” Company. On 1st July, 1915 Private Fryer disembarked from Ascanius at Alexandria from Mudros on 1st July, 1915.

He proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli on 29th August, 1915.

On 19th March, 1916 Private Fryer proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 26th March, 1916.

Private Fryer was written up for an Offence “using obscene language in the presence of an Officer” on 24th May, 1916, while posted in France. He was awarded 10 days No. 2 F. P. (Field Punishment).

He was written up for a crime on 13th August, 1916 in France – “Disobedience of an order in that he hesitated to pick up his rifle when ordered to do so on 10/8/16”. He was awarded 28 days No. 2 F. P. (Field Punishment).

On 25th August, 1916 Private Fryer was transferred to & taken on strength of 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Private Fryer was written up for “Conduct to prejudice of good order and military discipline” while in London on 23rd March, 1917 - 1. Creating a disturbance 2. Obscene language 3. Violently resisting arrest. He was awarded 168 hours F. P. (Field Punishment) No. 2.
On 27th March, 1917 Private Fryer was marched in to Drafting Depot at Perham Downs from Ass. Provost Marshall London. He joined A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Etaples, France from England on 29th March, 1917. Private Fryer proceeded to join 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery from Etaples on 7th April, 1917.

He was sent to 7th Field Ambulance on 12th September, 1917 with sore feet & returned to duty on 15th September, 1917.

Private Frederick Thomas Fryer was reported to be with his Unit – 6th L.T.M.B. on 20th August, 1918.
On 21st August, 1918 Private Fryer was sent to 6th Field Ambulance suffering from diarrhoea then transferred to 55th Casualty Clearing Station. He was transferred to A38 (Ambulance Train) on 22nd August, 1918 then transferred to 9th General Hospital at Rouen on 22nd August, 1918. Private Fryer was transferred & admitted to No. 2 Convalescent Depot on 25th August, 1918 then transferred to No. 11 Convalescent Depot at Buchy on 26th August, 1918.

He was transferred to A.G.B.D (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouen on 11th September, 1918 & classified as “B2”. He was marched in to A.G.B.D. at Havre from Rouen on 13th September, 1918. The Medical Board at Havre, France found Private Fryer to be aged 42. His cause of Unfitness was due to age & Rheumatism. He was classified as B3 on 20th September, 1918.

Private Frederick Thomas Fryer was transferred to England on 22nd September, 1918 & classified as “B3”. He was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot on 23rd September, 1918.

A Medical Report was completed on Private Frederick Thomas Fryer on 2nd October, 1918 at No. 2 Australian Command Depot Medical Office, Portland. Private Fryer’s age last birthday was listed as 42. The disability which was being investigated was Premature Senility & Rheumatism – “has had pain in knees & legs for 7 or 8 years. Left Unit on 23/8/1918 on account of general break up.” The disability had in occurred in Australia, prior to enlistment. The Board attributed the aggravation to Exposure & aggravated by Active Service. Private Fryer’s present condition was listed as “Age 42. Complains of pain in knees, back & shoulders.” The Board recommended that Private Fryer be discharged as permanently unfit.

Private Frederick Thomas Fryer died on the afternoon of 27th October, 1918 at Nobles Hospital, Douglas, Isle of Man.

An Inquest was held at the Court House in the Town of Douglas, Isle of Man on the 28th day of October, 1918 before James Stowell Gell, High Bailiff of Douglas and Coroner to enquire into the death of Frederick Thomas Fryer.

(Details of full Inquest can be found in the full research – see link below)

The Jurors found “That the said Frederick Thomas Fryer, who was a Private in the 6th Brigade Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery and who was last stationed at Verne Citadel, Dorset and was of Melbourne, Australia and was of the age of 40 or thereabouts died in Nobles Isle of Man Hospital in the 27th day of October 1918 from Bronchial pneumonia, the result of his having whilst of unsound mind seriously injured his throat by cutting it with a razor.”

Private Frederick Thomas Fryer was buried on 31st October, 1918 in Douglas Cemetery, Douglas, Isle of Man – Plot number H. 252 and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/douglas.html