Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick WIGMORE (Fred)

Military Medal

Recommendation:

'At MOUQUET FARM, early on the morning of 25th August, Pte Wigmore was one of a reconnaissance patrol of 3 men of the 6th Aust. Machine Gun Coy. That went out to bring in a German Machine Gun supposed to be in dug-out in Mouquet Farm. The dug-out was located, but no gun was found there. Some dead Germans and S.A Ammunition were seen in the dug-out. The patrol on returning saw 4 Germans concealed in shell-holes. These men were directing artillery fire, one sending messages back by telephone, and the others using what appeared to be range-finders. Pte WIGMORE crept back alone and shot 3 of the enemy, the fourth managed to escape'.         Military Medal awarded 30th August ,1916.                                 (Sgd- ) W.R BIRDWOOD, Lieut- General                               Commanding 1st Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. 

The Bendigo public would first learn of the heroic deeds of Fred Wigmore in the weekly Bendigoian supplement in October 1916: -

‘Private F. Wigmore, who is attached to the machine gun section with the Australian forces in France, writes to his father

(Mr. F. Wigmore, of Bramble-street, Quarry Hill) of his doings abroad. He is in good health, and states that he was lucky to get through safely. Private Wigmore informs his father that he has been awarded the military medal, and adds:- "You will hear later on how I won it, so I am a lucky man." Private Wigmore is 23 years of age, and sailed on 8th May, 1915. He was slightly wounded in the fighting at Gallipoli.’[1]

Fred’s letter home followed his action at the battle for Mouquet Farm in Belgium on August 25, 1916. This fighting on the Western Front, around Pozières was just the beginning of a long and bloody series of battles the AIF would fight again and again.

A full 15 months later, Fred’s actions here would get further coverage in the same supplement in November 1918: -                               ‘Amongst the Australians who have been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field in France is Private F. Wigmore, only son of Mr. and Mrs. F.J .Wigmore, of Bramble-street, Bendigo. Private Wigmore who is 23 years of age, was a member of the Light Horse, but when volunteers were wanted for the infantry he came forward and left with reinforcements in May, 1915. He saw service in Gallipoli, where he was wounded. Proceeding to France, he was attached to the machine gun section, and took part in the fighting at Pozieres. The official letter received by the officer of the 6th Australian Infantry Brigade states: “The corps commander has awarded the Military Medal to Private F. Wigmore. Please convey, corps and divisional commanders congratulations to him." The medal was presented to Private Wigmore by General Birdwood on the 9th September. Private, Wigmore enclosed in a letter sent to his farther and mother a piece of the ribbon attached to the medal as a memento. Before enlisting Private Wigmore was employed at Mrs. Hendry's estate, Bridgewater, where he is well known.[2]    

Fred became renowned in Bendigo for sending home various war items from the front. These became popular items became attractions in local businesses. The Bendigoian reports in March 1918: - 'Mr. F. Wigmore, of 44 Booth-street, Golden-Square, has received from his son, Sergeant F. Wigmore, who is in France, a collection of interesting war relics and curios. Sergeant Wigmore was with a number of "Tommies" engaged pulling down a wall at Bamphura, when they discovered several gold coins, which had been coined in 1786. Despite the length of time that the coins had been in the wall they were in a good state of presentation. Sergeant Wigmore has sent home a German cross of the first grade, bearing the date 4/10/17, a pair of powerful field glasses, and a German £1 note, and five marks, which were got from the Hindenburg line east of Bullecourt, on 3rd May, 1917. The collection will be on view in the window of Mr. E. R. M'Martin, tobacconist, Pall Mall. Sergeant Wigmore while in France received a Christmas box, and on opening the packet it contained a card showing that it was sent by Mrs. L. Iser, of Bramble-street, Bendigo. The parcel was sent with others for Australian soldiers, and it is a singular coincidence that Sergeant Wigmore before enlisting was residing with his parents in Bramble-street.[3]

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Source: Bendigoian, November 9, 1918

Regimental No: 1273

Place of birth: Essendon Victoria

Religion: Church of England

Occupation: Stockman Bridgewater

Address: 203 Mundy Street, Bramble Street and 44 Booth Street Bendigo.

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 21

Next of kin: Father, Frederick Wigmore

Enlistment date: 11 January 1915

Unit name: 23rd Battalion, Headquarters & 6th Brigade Machine Gun Company, 2nd Aust’n Divn.

Embarked: HMAT A14 Euripides on 10 May 1915

Final Rank: Sergeant

Fate: Returned to Australia 8 January 1919

 At MOUQUET FARM, early on the morning of 25th August, 1916 

Fred Wigmore was a member of the 23rd battalion, part of the 6th Brigade of the Australian 2nd Division. In 4 days the Australian 2nd Division lost 1,268 men and had to be replaced by the Australian 4th Division which continued the attacks on Mouquet Farm on August 27 and 29 1916 but failed to take the position from the German defenders.

[1] Bendigonian, Thu 26 Oct 1916  Page 25  PRIVATE F. WIGMORE.

[2] Bendigonian, Thu 9 Nov 1916  Page 2  AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL.
[3] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 28 Mar 1918  Page 20  WAR RELICS.