Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Francis Joseph Hunt was born in Helensburgh NSW in 1897, to George Charles Hunt of Sherbrooke (coal miner) and Ellen Herbert (nee Broadbent).
He attended school at Helensburgh, with his brothers William and Thomas and his sisters Alice and Edith. Upon leaving school he got a job as a labourer. He moved to Park St Helensburgh after his brothers left for the war. His religion was Church of England.
In 1914 when the war started Frank joined the Citizens Forces as soon as he was old enough. He was too young to enlist. Both his brothers William and Thomas had already enlisted.
His mother died on19th April 1916 when he was 18. His father signed his application to enlist papers giving his consent for Francis to join the AIF under age. Francis enlisted in the AIF at Victoria Barracks Sydney on 31st March 1917 at the age of 19. He was 5ft 7 inches tall and weighed 124lbs. His battalion was 45th Battalion – 9th and 10th Reinforcements. His service number was 3648. He was happy as this was his cousin Prescott Henry Hunt’s battalion and he was looking forward to seeing him again.
He embarked on the HMAT Marathon on 10th May 1917. While on board on 1/7/1917 he created a disturbance by throwing lifebelts, after lights out, on the deck. He was confined for 5 days. He arrived in England on 20th July 1917. These disturbances were obviously caused by his immaturity. He began training at Codford. England. On 26th July 1917 he was charged with the offence of, conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline creating a disturbance in Hut. Secondly, he hesitated to obey an order given by an N C O, non commissioned officer. He was awarded 14 days working detention.
He returned to his battalion on 1st October 1917. On 26 October 1917 he was sent to hospital sick. He returned to his battalion on 31st October 1917.
On the 28th November 1917 he proceeded overseas to France with 12th Infantry to reinforce the 56th Battalion. He has changed Battalions so he may not see his cousin. He marched in from England 30th November 1917 and marched out to his Unit on 3rd December 17. He was taken on Strength in the field and joined the 56th Battalion on 13th December 1917.
Christmas at the front was very cold weather. After living in this weather for months the weather begins to improve.
Then on 1st June 1918 at Bussy Les Daours (the Somme) France, Frank was gassed and taken to Rouen Hospital.
The Red Cross report states, “Private F J Hunt, 56th Battalion whose number was 3648 was admitted on 4th June 1918 to No.11 Stat Hospital badly gassed and was at once put on the dangerously ill list. I saw him several times and took him the few things that he seemed to want, such as fruit etc. but he was much too ill to talk and left no message, but just panted his life away”.
On the evening of 11th June 1918 the 56th Battalion’s CO hosted a dinner at the officers’ mess at Bussy les Daours while poor Frank lay dying.
Finally on 12th June 1918 after days of agony Frank died of gas poisoning at Sty hospital. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen France. Grave No. 3775.
His family was notified by the Matron of the hospital and his possessions returned to his family. These consisted of photos, cards, 2 religious books, 1 belt, Christmas cards, 1 small spectacle case, 1 YMCA wallet, 1 leather case, 1 handkerchief, cigarette pictures, 1 metal cigarette case, 1 leather lanyard, 2 metal rings and 2 metal pencil cases.
Frank received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, the Memorial Scroll and Plaque.
Franks brothers William and Thomas wiped their father from their lives for giving his permission for Frank to go to war.
Frank went from living his whole life in Helensburgh until he enlisted and then he travelled overseas to Europe for the first time only to die there. Like so many others.
A very short life, Frank died aged 20 years.