Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick Wheatley was born in Burra, South Australia, on the 11th of February 1879. Frederick’s hometown was Wallaroo when he enlisted. In 1886, Frederick attended school at Burra Infant’s. Frederick was the son of Alfred Wheatley and Annie Robinson. Frederick had a sister, Mrs J. Chynoweth, who was listed as his next of kin on his enlistment documents. Frederick nominated the Methodist faith as his religion on his Attestation paper. Prior to his enlistment, Frederick worked as a saddler. Frederick was a 167cm tall, weighing approximately 63kg, with a fair complexion, straight hair, and grey eyes. Frederick served in a Rifle club for three years prior to enlistment.

On the 7th of September 1914, when he enlisted in the First World War, Frederick was 35 years old. Frederick decided to sign up to become a part of the Australian Imperial Force at the Morphettville recruitment office in SA. Frederick was then medically examined to determine whether he was medically fit enough to serve. Once he was deemed medically fit, Frederick was assigned the service number 1056.

Along with the rest of his unit, Frederick attended training camps which were established at military bases, farms, parklands, and sporting grounds located across Australia. At training, the soldiers were given basic military training. This basic military training included how to use weapons such as rifles and small arms.

Frederick and the rest of his unit embarked from Adelaide, on the 20th of October 1914. They embarked on board the transport ship, the A11 Ascanius. The A11 Ascanius was a part of the 1st Convoy, which carried the South Australian 10th Battalion, and the 11th Battalion from Fremantle. Frederick’s rank on embarkment was Private.

Frederick was assigned the role of being a driver for the 3rd Field Ambulance. The 3rd field ambulance was a mobile front-line medical unit, which was managed by various troops In the Australian Army Medical Corps, a 3rd Field Ambulance driver would typically assist in the transportation of injured soldiers from the battlefields to the medical facilities. This role involved driving the ambulances and ensuring that the transport of injured soldiers was safe and timely.

Frederick and his battalion were involved in fighting on the Western Front at Poziéres, Mouquet Farm, and Ypres. Frederick, being in the 10th battalion, meant that he participated in several different offensives in Ypres. This would have included the second battle of Bullecourt, the battle of Poelcappelle, the battle of the Somme, Amiens, Passchendaele, A Hazebrouck, Menin Road, and Polygon Wood. Additionally, the 10th Infantry Battalion helped to prevent the advancements of the German Spring Offensive. After over four years of heinous fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent on November 11th, 1918. Although battles continued in other places, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to conclude World War 1. The armistice was signed, which ceased the fighting on land, sea, and in the air between the Entente and their last remaining opponent, The Central powers. The Central powers consisted of German, Austria-Hungarian, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgarian troops. Fredrick's last known unit remained as the 3rd Field Ambulance. Frederick's last rank also remained private.

Frederick was discharged from the war under the circumstances of cessation of hostilities. Following the conclusion of World War 1, Frederick was able to return home. He returned to Australia from Durham, England on October 23rd, 1918. Frederick served a total of 4 years and 168 days in service, with 4 years and 65 days out of the total amount of time, spent serving abroad. On February 4th, 1956, Frederick unfortunately passed away at the age of 77.

Bibliography:

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