SHANNON, Francis Oliver
| Service Number: | 735 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1915, Townsville, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 41st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | St Arnaud, Victoria, 1 December 1894 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not known |
| Occupation: | Wool worker |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Belgium, 7 October 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Plot 20; Grave 12; Row C., |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane 41st Battalion Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 735, Townsville, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 735, 41st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 18 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 735, 41st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Sydney | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 735, 41st Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, Shell wound (abdomen) |
My Grandfather.
Francis Oliver Shannon was born in December, 1894 in St Arnaud, Victoria to John Shannon and Elizabeth Oliver.
He was working as a labourer in the wool industry in Richmond Queensland, when he enlisted in Townsville on November 1st, 1915. He was assigned to the AIF "C" Company.
He married Agnes Mary Lynch on May 6th 1916. He left a wife, pregnant with a son (Gordon Oliver Shannon), who he was never to see or hold. Very little is known about Frank, as no birth records or marriage records for his parents can be found. He was raised as Roman Catholic.
Frank was fleet of foot, winning the 100 yard sprint championship in his battalion. Known as "Curly" by his mates, he was the batman of a Captain French and used as a runner to convey messages from area to area.
Frank died of shell wounds to his stomach, when engaged in an attack at Passchendaele. He died on the 7th of October, 1917 aged 22.
Frank was my grandfather and Gordon was my father. RIP gentlemen.
Denise McIntosh (nee Shannon).
Submitted 20 April 2015 by Denise McIntosh
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Francis Oliver SHANNON was born in St Arnaud, Victoria on 1st December, 1894
His parents were John SHANNON & Elizabeth OLIVER
He married Agnes Mary LYNCH on 6th May, 1916 in Queensland
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