FRITH, Reuben
| Service Number: | 776 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 November 1915, West Maitland, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 56th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Jesmond, New South Wales, Australia, 14 May 1886 |
| Home Town: | Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Service record states "Died War Service", Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 9 April 1948, aged 61 years |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW METHODIST 4-21. 56. |
| Memorials: | Newcastle High School Honour Roll, Wickham "Citizens of Wickham" Volunteers Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 776, West Maitland, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 776, 35th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 776, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 9 Sep 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 56th Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Feb 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 776, 56th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Reuben Frith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, not forgotten.
74 years ago today, on the Saturday afternoon of the 10th April 1948, Private Reuben Frith, 56th Battalion (Reg No-776A), miner from Aberdare Street, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales and 32 Robert Street, Wickham, N.S.W. and 8 Henry Street, Tighes Hill, N.S.W., father of five? (Edna Marion (1912), Thomas Alfred (1914), Janet (1916), Leslie (1916), Joseph J (1920), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 61. METHODIST 4-21. 56.
Born at Jesmond, New South Wales on the 14th May 1886 to Thomas and Margaret Ann Frith; husband of Marion Frith nee Silverthorn (married 1911, Wickham, N.S.W., died 15.6.1920, Newcastle, N.S.W., sleeping at METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) D SW. 36.), marked grave, of Barber Street, Mayfield, New South Wales; also, Thelma May Frith nee Dudley (married 1935, Hamilton, N.S.W., died 11.4.1975, district unknown), Reuben enlisted November 1915 with the 35th Battalion at West Maitland, N.S.W.
Reuben was one of 96 Pelaw Main Colliery workers farewelled at the Kurri Kurri King's Hall - Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May, 1916.
Admitted to hospital 5.12.1916 (frost bite, gangrene both feet).
Invalided to England 20.12.1916.
All toes removed from both feet under general aesthetic 8.3.1917.
Transported to the Royal Military Hospital, Shorncliffe Camp, 10.5.1917.
Reuben was invalided home August 1917, being discharged medically unfit on the 27th February 1918.
Mr. Frith’s name has been inscribed on the Newcastle High School Honor Roll, Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1), Wickham Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Holmesville Community WW1 Honour Roll (photos taken 1.4.2022, unveiled on the 5th September 1916, number of names inscribed unknown, 70 names now inscribed, 13 Fallen, proudly displayed at the Holmesville Community Hall, 22 George Street, Holmesville, N.S.W.), West Wallsend and District Soldier's Memorial and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
I have placed poppies on Reuben’s white marble Commonwealth War Graves headstone in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Service record states Died War Service, 9.4.1948.
Many thanks to Ryan Dudley for photos of Reuben and family and for his outstanding family history research.
Reuben Frith, C Company, 35th Battalion & 56th Battalion, 1st A.I.F., his second wife was my grandfather's sister Thelma Dudley.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.