Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Captain F. W, MOULSDAL.E, — News has been received by Mrs. A. Moulsdale, of Bright Street, Marrickville, that her only son, Captain Fred
Moulsdale, aged 23 years, died of wounds in France on April 12. Captain Moulsdale left Australia, on May 12, 1915 as a sergeant in a
machine-gun section. He served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, and received altogether three promotions. At the time of his death he was in command of nn Australian machine-gun company, having been promoted to that position two months previously. Captain
Moulsdale was formerly employed as a naval draughtsman at the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard, Cockatoo Island.

Frederick William Moulsdale was born in February 1895 to Frederick Moulsdale Snr and Annie Elizabeth Alice. Soon after his birth, his father passed away, leaving him as his mother’s only remaining family. Moulsdale grew up in Marrickville, where he lived with his mother at “Roanoke,” Bright Street. He attended Sydney Technical College between 1909 and 1912, before working as a naval draughtsman at the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard.¹ He shared a close bond with his mother, who later became his principal next of kin and a strong advocate for him. His engineering background and leadership qualities were quickly recognised when he volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and enlisted 4 May 1915.

Moulsdale joined B Company of the 17th Battalion and sailed from Sydney on 12 May 1915 aboard HMAT Themistocles, bound for Egypt.² Moulsdale was promoted to Sergeant 6 May 1915 After a period of training, the battalion was committed to Gallipoli, where they took part in the assault on Hill 60 in August 1915, a desperate push that resulted in heavy casualties.³ He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 1st October 1915. Later that month he was hospitalised due to illness.Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, the 17th Battalion was sent to France, landing in Marseilles on 23 March 1916.

On the Western Front, Moulsdale took part in many of the AIF’s defining battles, including Pozières (July–August 1916), Mouquet Farm (August 1916), the Somme campaign, and the battles in Flanders.⁴ He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 March 1916, and later to Captain on 11 June 1917. As a Captain, he commanded the 7th Machine Gun Company, responsible for organising the defence of trench lines and providing suppressive fire against enemy attacks. His leadership and character earned him the respect of his men, who described him as “the best liked Officer in the whole Company.”

During the German Spring Offensive of 1918, Moulsdale was fatally wounded while commanding a machine gun position. Accounts of his death vary: some reported he was struck instantly by a sniper’s bullet to the lungs, while others suggested he was hit during heavy machine gun fire and died hours later. All accounts agree that he died on 12 April 1918, at the age of 23. He was initially buried close to the front line before being reinterred at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery in the Somme, France.⁵

His death was felt deeply by both his men and his mother, who worked to ensure his records were accurate and his service properly recognised. As the only surviving member of her immediate family, his loss was profound.