Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Before departing for World War I service, John Fridlington was just your average 24-year-old single, young man. A farmhand, in fact. A farmhand is hired to take on extra jobs (part time, temporarily or seasonally). John was 5 foot, 8 ½ and weighed 148 lbs. (67 kg). He had dark skin, brown eyes and dark hair. John Fridlington was born in Willunga, South Australia. Willunga is a town south of Adelaide. John was a member of the Church of England. Luckily for him, he had a mother named Mrs. M Fridlington who also lived in Willunga. Mrs. M Fridlington was listed as the next of kin.

He was ranked as private on the nominal roll. A private is a soldier classified in the lowest military rank. Private soldiers in the Australian Army are commonly referred to as 'diggers'. This is a military slang term used for soldiers from Australian and New Zealand.

He was considered fit for active service on June 4th, 1915 in Keswick. However, he was enlisted on June 8th, 1915. After Federation in 1901, a regimental numbering system was introduced. Regimental numbers were allotted to non-commissioned soldiers. At the start of the First World War, the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) was required to issue its own regimental numbers. These numbers were unique within each regiment. This means that someone else in another regiment could have the same number. John’s regimental number was 2869. Before heading off to war, he attended a base camp from the 8th of June until the 30th of June. On the 29th of August, he was absent without leave from his quarters from 2pm (28th) to 630am *30th). This offence landed him 3 days of no pay.

He embarked at Adelaide aboard the H.M.A.T A15 “star of England” on the 21st of September 1915 with the 9th reinforcements. On the 25th of November 1915, he was taken on strength with the 10th Battalion at Mudros, the main British base for the Gallipoli campaign. He spent the rest of November and December their whist the Allied Forces were evacuated from the peninsula and was then sent to Egypt.

On the 10th of May 1916, he temporarily joined the 4th Coy A.A.S.C (Australian Army Service Corps) which fought in France on the Western Front. On 8th of September, John created a disturbance in camp and was forced to obey an officer. Following up on that, the next day, he was awarded 7 days field punishments No 2.

On the 11th of August 1917, John went to a hospital in France, believed to be sick. Later, on the 28th of August 1917, he rejoined the battalion from hospital in France. He was also attached to the 1st Australian Division Train from the 10th Battalion on this day. Two days later, he was officially detached from the 10th batallion for duty with the AASC.

About a year later on the 28th of June, 1918, John was paid in France. On the 21st of November, 1918, he was promoted to the position ‘driver’ under A.F.F Order 785, normally meaning he drove horse teams or trucks. Just before Christmas, on the 10th of December, 1918, he was reranked to a private at his own request.

On the 3rd of February, 1919, he was moved to England. The next day, he disembarked from Weymouth. About a week later, on the 10th of February, he was admitted in Edinburgh for influenza whilst on leave. On the 3rd of March, 1919, he was discharged and granted.

Finally, on the 14th of March, 1919, he was sent to the ASC Delivery Point. This was the place where The RASC  (Royal Army Service Corps transport hands over loads to first line of transport of a unit.

Luckily, John Fridlington left England to return to Australia, safely on April 12th 1919. After his service, he was awarded three medals; the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. John Fridlington was a loyal soldier and thoroughly demonstrated the Anzac spirit. This can be seen by his courage, endurance and ingenuity. He fought for 4 long years and suffered what would be many traumatic experiences.