Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Francis (known as 'Frank') William TRIGGER, [Service Number – 2952] was born at ‘Glenvale,’ near Lakeside, outside Biggenden, Queensland on 10 August 1890. He was the eight surviving son of James and Julia Trigger. His early years were spent on family properties. Following schooling he worked with a local blacksmith before moving to Mt Morgan and commencing work as an underground miner Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Ltd.

It was at Mt Morgan that he was to meet his future wife – Lily Mable Ann LEE. Lily was the church organist at the Mt Morgan Methodist Church and Frank joined the church choir. They married on 14 December 1913. Their first child was born on 30 January 1917, but Frank was not to see his son until his return from the war in 1919.

Frank enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) at the age of 25 years. He enlisted at Rockhampton, on 3 July 1916, and served as a private in the '4th Pioneers Battalion'.

From the information on Pioneer Battalions held in the digital records of the Australian War Memorial, Canberra [www://awm.gov.au/units/unit_11394.asp] '...In 1916 the AIF raised five pioneer battalions, one per division. They were organised like a normal infantry battalion with a lieutenant colonel in command, a headquarters staff and four companies. Personnel normally posed a variety of trades and skills.' ...'Pioneer battalions were raised to meet the needs of both (engineers and infantry).'

Frank Trigger's occupation as a miner at Mt Morgan, may have prompted his inclusion in the pioneer battalion. After undergoing initial training at Ennogera, Brisbane, he embarked on board the HMAT A36 'Boonah.' On arrival in England, he spent time on the Salisbury Plains, before being posted to the Western Front arriving just before the third battle of Ypres.

He served for a total of 3 years & 76 days; 2 years & 293 days of which were spent on the Western Front. His 'War Gratuity Schedule' is extensive [Source: Personal Dossier held by the AWM.] eg., mumps, inflamation of the joints, trench fever, gall stones, etc. According to family members, he was also hospitalised following a gassing incident. At some stage, he contracted TB Meningitis and was gravely ill. The War Graturity Schedule of his archived military records notes Frank's admission to a field hospital on 23 May 1918, and that he was invalided to England on 16 June 1918. He was discharged from Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, and rejoined the 4th Australian Pioneers, in France on 7/11 November 1918. The Armistice was declared on 11 November 1918. It is assumed that the 4^th Pioneers may have remained in France, as an occupation force. Frank was admitted to 'No.2.Grp.C.H,' on 30 May 1919, and discharged back to 4th Pioneer Battalion on 3 June 1919. 

Frank returned to Australia aboard the 'Miltiades' (departing 20 June 1919), and disembarking in Australia on 8 August 1919. Francis Trigger was issued with his discharge as a returned soldier on 16 September 1919. He returned to where his wife (Lilly Trigger) and baby son - Francis (k/a Frank), were residing with his wife's family (Mr and Mrs Lee) at Byrnes Parade, Mt Morgan, Queensland. Lilly Trigger resided with her family for the duration of the war.

On his return Frank resumed his work at Mt Morgan Mines until they began to reduce their operations. A second son – Robert James was born at Mt Morgan on 12 July 1920. Frank, Lilly and their two sons moved to Maryborough in 1926, where Frank had secured work with the Queensland Railways, initially as a fettler and then as a painter.

He and his wife were active members of the Walker Street Methodist Church in Maryborough and enjoyed musical and theatrical events in the town. Frank was interested in radio and for many years conducted a popular children’s afternoon program on Radio 4MB-Maryborough, under the pseudonym of ‘Midshipman Bob Breezy,’ and later ‘Captain Gale.’

Frank had sustained significant damage to his lungs, attributed to his experience of being gassed while at the Front. The characteristic lung damage was diagnosed in x-ray examinations undertaken well after the war. These showed typical and extensive shadowing of the lungs. Lung damage and the sequel of the tubercular meningitis (which he acquired during war service), compromised Frank's ongoing health, post discharge. 

Francis (Frank) Trigger never spoke to his family of his war time experiences, avoided all commemorative events and was not involved in ex service organisations. Nor did he ever make any claim for repatriation assistance, service or disability pension.

Frank died on 3 October, 1962 at the Base Hospital in Maryborough after a long and protracted illness. His simple gravestone in the lawn cemetery at Maryborough, Queensland, bears no indication that he was a returned soldier.   

His two sons were later to serve in the RAAF and Australian Army.

Sources:

1. Australian Nominal Roll – World War 1
2. Australian War Memorial – General Information on the formation an arrangement of pioneer battalions. http://www://awm.gov.au/units/unit_11394.asp (www)
3. HART, Nell & UNKLES, Olive (1988) Trigger Family History 1848-1988 Unpublished booklet
4.  National Archives of Australia - Item details for: B2455, TRIGGER FRANCIS WILLIAM 
5. WILDMAN, Owen (1919) Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War, Besley & Pike http://www.textqueensland.com.au/item/book/49ec8c865f8c7badb93e6890364f4ae6 (www.textqueensland.com.au)