Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Personal info:

Frank William Garner was born in London, England and he went to school at the Droop Street Board School in England. His father was James William Garner. His mother sadly died when he was still young. His religious belief was Church of England which both he and his father believed in. Some of his distinct physical features were his blue eyes and blonde hair as well as his excellent eyesight with 6/6 on his right eye and 6/6/ with his left eye as well. After living a relatively quiet life in London he and his father moved to Australia at the age of 19. Once here he lived at a house in South Australia in the suburb of Goodwood on Victoria Street, where he worked as a carpenter before joining the army and was single his whole life.

Enlistment:

Frank enlisted into the Australian army on the 17 August 1915 at the age of 23 years 7 months. He didn’t have any previous military service. Once officially enlisted, he was given the regimental number of 3495, and was assigned to the 27th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement as a private. Before officially being inducted into the army he received his medical/health check-up on August 5th,1915. He arrived at training camp on August 17th,1915, once there he was officially assigned to a unit/battalion on November 1st,1915 and after that embarked on November 7th, 1915. He and his unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A30 Borda.

Training:

Frank William Garner arrived at Colonel Lights Gardens training camp on August 17th,1915. Once he was there he received his compulsory medical check-up. Some of the things they did during the medical check-up were to measure his height, weigh him, test vision and get a chest measurement. Frank’s measurement was (normal) 35 inches and (deep breath) 38 inches. After he was assigned he trained with his battalion for a short amount of time then, he had a short amount of time to pack before he would embark for Egypt. Finally, when training concluded for him in November 5th, 1915 he had little amount of time to prepare, pack and mentally ready himself before he embarked to war on November 7th, 1915. After arriving in Egypt Frank was transferred to the 10th Battalion. He arrived in France in April.

Campaign:

Frank was killed in action sometime between August 19th and 23rd, 1916, at Pozières. The only credible report in the Red Cross file refers to his participation in an attack on August 23rd. He was initially reported missing and his death was only confirmed buy a Court of Inquiry some time later. Probably he was killed, and his body was buried by mounds of dirt churned up by constant artillery fire. His memorial was put up on the battlefield which he presumably died.

Anzac spirit:

I genuinely think Frank demonstrated Anzac Spirit all throughout the war. Some of the qualities of the Anzac Spirit is:

·       Courage

·       Determination

·       Mateship

·       patriotism

Frank demonstrated many of these qualities during his time serving in the war. First, he clearly demonstrated courage, by even enrolling into the army knowing the risks that come and going into battle knowing he could lose his life, which he did. He also demonstrated determination when he was even determined enough to give his own life for the benefit of the war. Which in the end he did, for his sacrifice and showing Anzac spirit all throughout the war he was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal. As for mateship, he made lots of friends in the army, whether it be during training or battle and undoubtably would have stuck with them and cared for each other during the hard times for them. I defiantly think Frank showed patriotism even just by enlisting because no doubt he knew what could happen to him, but he still signed up to serve his country. He showed devotion and pride in his country by fighting for his country even if it the outcome is death.