OTTERSPOOR, Francis Jacob
| Other Name: | Otterspoor, Franciscus Jacobos - Circular |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | 464 |
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Utrecht, Holland, The Netherlands, 15 November 1894 |
| Home Town: | Annerley, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | State School, Holland, The Netherlands |
| Occupation: | Storeman / Teacher |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 19 July 1916, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais Plot I, Row L, Grave No. 66 |
| Tree Plaque: |
Yeronga Avenue of Honour
|
| Memorials: | Annerley Stephens Shire Council Residents Honour Board 1, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Yeronga War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 464, Depot Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 31st Infantry Battalion, An original of B Coy | |
| 9 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 464, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 464, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 464, 31st Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
He enlisted as Francis Jacob, but gave his next of kin as his brother as John Otterspoor of Brisbane, Queensland. It seems that he came to Australia with his brothers during 1912. The three of them eventually enlisted. They were the sons of Servanus Otterspoor and Hendrika Johanna Otterspoor, who eventually emigrated from Holland during 1920 and then resided at Cooper's Plains, Brisbane, Queensland. Francis gave his place of association as Annerley, Brisbane, Queensland.
Francis was killed in action at Fromelles on the 19 July 1916, but at least was buried in a military cemetery. Although he had given his brother John (on active service) as next of kin, his father eventually received all his entitlements.
His brother, 3900 Pte John Otterspoor 4th Pioneer Battalion AIF was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux in France, 22 May 1918, aged 25. Another twin brother of John, 1210 Arnold Otterspoor 11th Light Horse Regiment, returned to Australia in late 1919.
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