GAFFNEY, Frederick Charles Dudley
| Service Number: | 4716 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 October 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 22nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Brunswick, Moreland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Traveller |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 December 1951, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Plot...Dodonaea, Garden N13, Bed 5, Rose 04 |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4716, 22nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 4716, 22nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 4 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 4716, 22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne | |
| 3 May 1917: | Imprisoned Bullecourt (Second) |
Help us honour Frederick Charles Dudley Gaffney's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Fred Gaffney was wounded in the head and captured at Bullecourt, France on 3 May 1917 He wrote from POW camp Limburg, Germany on 7 May 1917 "Dearest Mum, I know you will be very upset when you hear that I am a prisoner of war, but Mother dearest I just don't want you to worry your head one scrap. I am being treated very well indeed. I am in hospital at present, you see, I was wounded in the head with a Machine Gun bullet, but there is nothing serious about it. It was only just a graze and it will soon be right again. I was captured on the 3rd May and I think I can consider myself very lucky that I am still alive and kicking. I received your parcel of socks and pudding just before we went into the trenches. The pudding had almost gone to powder but I got the sixpence out of it alright. I was wearing one pair of socks when I was captured, but of course lost the others. The first chance I get I shall write to Frank and let him know that I am in the same plight as himself. (His brother 3749 Pte Frank Gaffney, 12th Machine Gun Company, was also a POW in Germany, captured at Pozieres some 9 months previously).
Fred Gaffney, of the 22nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, was a son of Mr. F. B. L. Gaffney, of Brunswick, who was an engineer in the employ of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. He enlisted in December, 1915, having Just turned 19. He received a wound in the head from a machine-gun bullet at Bullecourt on May 3, 1917, and, while wounded, fell into the hands of the enemy. He was taken to the Hamburg Hospital and was allowed to write to his parents immediately. Corporal Gaffney's brother, Sergt. Frank Gaffney, of the 14th Battalion, 12th Machine Gun Company, was also a prisoner of war at Dulmen, and Corporal Gaffney obtained permission to Join him there. The brothers were engaged in Red Cross work at the prison camp, and shared the same hut. Their father judged from their letters that they were well treated. Sergeant Gaffney was released on 29 November 1918, and on the way to London met his brother at Rotterdam.
After he was released, Fred received a letter from the King of England, a facsimile copy that was sent to most released prisoners of war.
“Buckingham Palace 1918,
The Queen joins me in welcoming you on your release from the miseries and hardships, which you have endured with so much patience and courage.
During these many months of trial, the early rescue of our gallant officers and men from the cruelties of their captivity has been uppermost in our thoughts.
We are thankful that this longed-for day has arrived & that back in the old country you will be able once more to enjoy the happiness of a home & to see good days among those who anxiously look for your return. George R.I.”
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