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War Memorial
Australia

Frederick MARRIOTT

Military Medal

Recommendation: - 

'On 2nd November, 1917, west of ZONNEBEKE, he advanced under heavy shell fire, leading two pack mules loaded with ammunition. Both driver MARRIOTT and his two mates were wounded. He went onto the Battery and delivered his ammunition before reporting to the Dressing Station, where he was evacuated.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110 Date: 25 July 1918

The Bendigonian newspaper reported the following on February 21, 1918  21/02/18. DRIVER FRED. MARRIOTT.                                        "A further distinction has been added to the war honors conferred upon the staff of the Beehive, who are defending their country's honor in France, by the award of a Military Medal to Driver Fred Marriott, who after many rejections succeeded in enlisting in the A.I.F. on 15th July, 1915. Following on the distinction conferred upon the head of the firm, Colonel Henderson, D.S.O., and the Military Medal awarded to Signaller C. Wood, this added honor is one upon which the Beehive is to be congratulated. The news, which was conveyed in a letter from Driver Marriott to his mother, produced feelings of pride in the hearts of his parents and of his fellow employees at the Beehive, with whom he was always a prime favorite. Mr. and Mrs. Marriott, who reside in Creek-street, have had no word from their son for over three months until the letter reached them yesterday'. This was dated from France, 9th December, 1917, and showed that Driver Marriott's brothers, Albert and Jack, were in England at the time and wounded, so that there are three brothers of this family doing their duty at the front. The parents are to be congratulated upon such patriotic sons. Private Norman Robertson, writing to a friend in Bendigo, says that ""Driver Fred. Marriott has been awarded the Military Medal for coolness and bravery under fire. He had been allotted the duty of carrying ammunition to a dangerous point, and whilst doing so was wounded by a shell. He struggled on, however, till he completed his task."  [1]                                                                          

At the height of the conscription debate, the Bendigo Advertiser praised the Marriott family for their contribution to the war effort. The article featured photos and short stories on each of the 3 sons: -  THREE SONS AT THE FRONT.

‘The Marriott family of Bendigo is another one of those patriotic families who believe in deeds rather than words. Three of their sons enlisted early in the war, and have all been doing their bit at the front’. In addition to Fred who was first in the family to enlist and had been a draper at the Beehive there was John E. Marriott, who is 24 years of age with the 23rd Battalion, and had already taken part in two big battles — Bapaume and Bullecourt. Prior to joining he was employed at the Cambridge Press, well known printers in Bendigo. The third son was Albert V. Marriott who enlisted in May 1916, who was with the 25th battalion and at the time also in the trenches. [2]

The Marriott family certainly contributed to the war effort and all three sons did return home.

Fred Marriott was recommended for a bravery award at the second battle for Passchendaele in November 1917 whilst with the Ammunition Column. The logistics of supplying ammunition was critical to any army. Each Division of the AIF had an Ammunition Column to keep ammunition up to the guns by moving it from "Third line" storage up to the Front ("First Line").

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Rget:1897

Religion: Methodist

Occupation: Draper

Address: Creek Street, Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 19

Next of kin: Father, John Marriott, Creek Street, Bendigo

Enlistment date: 7 July 1915

Unit name: 4th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement & 2nd Division Ammunition Column

AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/9/3

Embarked: from Sydney,  HMAT A54 Runic on 20 January 1916

Final Rank: Driver

Unit from Nominal Roll 2nd Division Ammunition Column"

Fate: Returned to Australia 20 May 1919

Date of death: 25 November 1971

West of ZONNEBEKE - The Second Battle of Passchendaele was the culminating attack during the Third Battle of Ypres of the First World War. The battle took place in the Ypres Salient area of the Western Front, in and around the Belgian town of Passchendaele, between 26 October and 10 November 1917.

The Third Battle of Ypres smashed the landscape around Zonnebeke to pieces. Having gradually taken German territory and finally reached the higher ground on the Passchendaele ridge in November 1917 the British Army established a new line. There was, however, very little surviving natural shelter to protect them from enemy artillery or air observation in the form of woods, farms and buildings. Specialist Tunnelling Companies, which had been working in the south of the Salient preparing for the Battle of Messines from 7 June 1917, were moved into the northern sector of the Ypres Salient to construct underground shelters and dugouts.

[1] The Bendigoian newspaper reported the following on February 21, 1918. Page 25

[2] The Bendigo Advertiser, September 13, 1917. Page 2

Known as “Fred”, Frederick Clement Marriott was born in Bendigo in 1896, the youngest son of John and Priscilla Maria Marriott.   His parents owned the Federal Dairy, and he lived with his parents at “Winwick”, Creek St, Bendigo.   No religion is entered on his Service Record but his name appears on the Honour Rolls of the Hargreaves St Baptist Church and the Forest St Methodist Church.    His name is also amongst those on the Central School Honour Roll.    He was employed as a Draper in the Manchester department of the Beehive Stores.

He enlisted for active service on 7 July, 1915, aged 19.    Later newspaper reports describe how he had been rejected for service on at least six previous occasions.     He was sworn in to the A.I.F. on 20 July, 1915, and entered the Training Camp at Seymour.

“At the ‘Beehive’ on Saturday presentations were made to three former employes, Privates Jenkins, Buddle and Marriott, who are shortly leaving for the front.    Mr J. C. Henderson presided.   On behalf of the firm and employes each soldier was presented by Mr. A. Mackay, in the unavoidable absence of Major R. O. Henderson, with a revolver, wristlet watch and belt.   In making the presentation, Mr Mackay eulogised the men for their patriotism, and wished them a safe return . . . .    The recipients fittingly responded.”    [Bendigonian   21 October 1915]      

On 30.11.15 Frederick Marriott was appointed to the 13th Reinforcements for the 4th Light Horse Regiment, with the rank of Trooper and Service No. 1897.     He embarked for overseas on 20.1.16.    Training continued in Egypt, and on 11.3.16 he was transferred to the 2nd Division Ammunition Column, before embarking for France.    He was Mustered as “Driver” on 15.3.16.

In a letter written to his mother from France, Driver F. Marriott, wrote:  “I am in good health.   . . . .  I have travelled long distances on land and sea, but I prefer Australia to all the places I have yet seen.   The women are doing the work of the men in France, in order to release them for the fighting line.   The ‘Tommies’ in France are a fine lot, and cannot do enough for us Australians.   The men appreciate the trips to England when on leave.”  [Bendigonian   13 July 1916]

Fred suffered Burns to his feet on 23.12.16.   He was transferred to England on 1.1.17 and Admitted to the Middlesex War Hospital.   He was discharged from hospital on 27.3.17 and enjoyed 2 week’s Furlough.    The following weeks were spent at No 1 Command Depot, and Training Camps at Perham Downs and Larkhill.   He returned to France on 19.6.17 and re-joined the 2nd Division Ammunition Column on 27.6.18.

Frederick Marriott was Wounded in action on 3.11.17 and admitted to hospital with Gun Shot Wounds to his neck.   For his actions he was later awarded the Military Medal. 

“Recommendation:     Driver.  2nd Div Ammunition Column.

1897   Driver Frederick MARRIOTT.     On 2nd November, 1917, west of Zonnebeke, he advanced under heavy shellfire, leading two pack mules loaded with ammunition.   Both Driver Marriott and his two mates were wounded.   He went on to the Battery and delivered his ammunition before reporting to the Dressing Station, where he was evacuated.”

The Award was published in the London Gazette, 23 February 1918, p. 2434, and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 25 July 1918, p. 1588.

“DRIVER FRED. MARRIOTT.     A further distinction has been added to the war honors conferred upon the staff of the Beehive, who are defending their country’s honor in France, by the award of a Military Medal to Driver Fred Marriott, who after many rejections succeeded in enlisting in the A.I.F., on 15th July, 1915.   Following on the distinction conferred upon the head of the firm, Colonel Henderson, D.S.O., and the Military Medal awarded to Signaller C. Wood, this added honor is one upon which the Beehive is to be congratulated.   The news, which was conveyed in a letter from Driver Marriott to his mother, produced feelings of pride in the hearts of his parents and of his fellow employes at the Beehive, with whom he was always a prime favourite.   Mr and Mrs Marriott, who reside in Creek-street, have had no word from their son for over three months until the letter reached them yesterday.   This was dated from France, 9th December, 1917, and showed that Driver Marriott’s brothers, Albert and Jack, were in England at the time and wounded, so that there are three brothers of this family doing their duty at the front.   The parents are to be congratulated upon such patriotic sons.”     [Bendigonian   21 February 1918]

“BENDIGO HERO CONGRATULATED      At the meeting of the Bendigo branch of the National Federation on Saturday night the president (Mr A. L. Bolton) called attention to the distinction won in France by Driver Fred. Marriott.   He said they were proud of the young hero, and congratulated Mr J. and Mrs Marriott on the honor.   A motion to that effect was carried by acclamation.   Mr Marriott, in returning thanks, said he was glad of the fact that his sons’ were fighting for the Empire, and that one of them had been honored by his country was a great delight to his parents.   Mr and Mrs Marriott have two other sons fighting in France.”    [Bendigonian   28 February 1918]

Fred returned to duty with 2nd Division Ammunition Column on 20.11.17.    He was granted Leave to England from 3rd – 23rd March, 1918.    In October, 1918, he was admitted to hospital Sick, re-joining his unit on 8.12.18.    He embarked for England on 4.4.19 and Returned to Australia in July, 1919.

“Members of the Beehive Staff who Served in the Great War”: Larna Malone