Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frank was the youngest of six children . His father Arthur Luttrel died in 1898 when Frank was just 4 years of age. Tragically, his Mother Theresa died in1903 leaving Frank an orphan at the age of 9 years.

Unfortunately, little is known of his life at this tender age. We pick his story up as a 20 year old dairyman living in ‘Tosterton’, Dungog. He listed this address as his place of residence on the embarkation roll . However, he had been living in Woodville sometime before that and was well known to the community.

As with so many others, when the call came for him to mobilise he packed quickly. On the 21st of August he would join the troop train that was collecting the men who would form ‘A’ Squadron of the First Light Horse Regiment. Most likely he boarded the train at Paterson where he met many of his mates who were already on-board. When it arrived at Hexham there was a rowdy farewell from the crowd of followers as the Raymond Terrace boys boarded.

Along with all the others of ‘A’ Squadron he signed his attestation papers on the 22nd August 1914. He listed his next of kin as his sister Mrs Grace Murrells.

Frank seemed suited to army life. There is no record of any disciplinary action taken against him and he was able to dodge the prevalent disabling diseases that plagued so many of his comrades. After undergoing the rigorous training that was required of the Light Horsemen Frank embarked with rest of ‘A’ Squadron aboard the A16 Star of Victoria on the 20th October 1914.

Frank spent his time with his ‘A’ squadron mates training in Egypt and seeing all the sights they could in their free time. Their first action came when they landed to support the troops at Gallipoli on the 12th of May 1915.

On the 7th August 1915 Frank and his mates rose from cover to assault the hills of Lone Pine ridge. Like so many that day he would not reach those heights. He was first listed as missing and later that day his fate was revised to killed in action . The burial site of his remains is unknown.

On the 11th September 1915 his sister Grace Murrells received a cable confirming his death. She would wait until the 18th of July 1916 for Frank’s personal effects to be returned. They received: 1 notebook, testament, prayer book, cigarette case, matchbox, badges, buttons, studs, postcards, photos, letters, diary, comforter.

As Grace was recognised as Frank’s next of kin she was entitled to inherit his estate. However she was not entitled to his medals. There was an established hierarchy for receiving medals and the men of the family came first As Frank’s father was dead his eldest brother Percy automatically became the recipient.

Because Frank has no known grave his name is listed on the Lone Pine memorial. Locally, his friends remembered him at the Woodville School of Arts Honour Roll and nationally he is listed on panel 2 of the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Researched by Yvonne Fletcher written by John Gillam