Francis John (Jack) FLEET DCM

FLEET, Francis John

Service Number: 594
Enlisted: 2 September 1914, Brisbane, Queensland
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: 15th Infantry Battalion
Born: Brisbane, Queensland, 20 April 1895
Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Stove maker
Died: Natural causes, Greenslopes Military Hospital, Queensland, 26 September 1950, aged 55 years
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

2 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 594, 15th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Queensland
22 Dec 1914: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 594, 15th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 594, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne
29 May 1915: Wounded ANZAC / Gallipoli
31 Oct 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 594, 15th Infantry Battalion
1 Feb 1917: Wounded 2nd occasion
13 Jun 1917: Wounded Battle of Messines, 3rd ocasion
7 Nov 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 594, 15th Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

The two enlisted sons of James and Sarah Fleet (nee Moore) of Brisbane, Queensland:-

594 Sgt. Francis John (Jack) Fleet. D.C.M., M.M. (Fr.) - Returned to Australia;

3354 Pte. Alfred Edward Fleet (/explore/people/244317)- Killed in Action at Polygon Wood, near Zonnebeke, Ypres, Belgium on 26 September 1917.

 

'Personal Notes.

Mrs. Slater, 482 Brunswick street, Valley, has received a notification from the military authorities that her son, Company Sergeant-major Francis John Fleet, of a Queensland battalion, has had the French Medaille Militaire conferred upon him by the President of the French Republic. Mrs. Slater also received word a few days ago that her elder son, Private Alfred Edward Fleet was killed on 26th September, in action in France.' from The Telegraph 27 Oct 1917 (nla.gov.au)

'Personal Notes.

Nurse S. Slater, of Warren street, the Valley, has received information that her son, Company Sergeant-major F. J. Fleet,
has been appointed a temporary warrant officer (Class 2) in the regular forces of the British army. He left Brisbane in 1914 and obtained the French Military Medal, and afterwards the DCM, the
latter being gained on the day his brother was killed at Polygon Wood, in France.' from The Brisbane Courier 10 Apr 1918 (nla.gov.au)

 

Awarded the Legion d'Honneur: Medaille Militaire (France) (www.awm.gov.au)

'A member of the original Battalion; wounded at Gallipoli 30th May, 1915. Has been through all the fighting in FRANCE. He was noticed for his courageous behaviour and powers of leadership during operations in vicinity of Mouquet Farm during periods 5th/10th August and 27th/29th August, 1916, and particularly for his determined fighting on the night of 8th/9th August, 1916, in an attack on the enemy trenches when although wounded he remained and materially assisted in repulsing enemy counter attack. He has been previously recommended, but has not received any reward.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169 Date: 4 October 1917  

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (www.awm.gov.au)

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near ZONNEBEKE on 26th September 1917. He was invaluable to his company commander in the consolidation and organization of the Blue Line. He organized a chain of small dumps forward from Battalion Dump to Front Line and ensured a plentiful supply of ammunition. He organized wiring parties and put out a sufficient quantity to hamper enemys approach to our line under intense enemy shell fire and his personal example was responsible for the energetic manner in which his men work. He has already been awarded the Medaille Militiare for excellent work.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918  

 

'ROLL OF HONOUR.

FLEET. — In loving memory of Francis John (Jack) Fleet, D.C.M., M.M., C.S.M., 15th Battalion, 1st A.I.F., died Greenslopes Military Hospital, 26th September, 1950.
Deeply mourned, and lovingly
 remembered.
By Maud, Shirley, Peggy, and Nancy.

FLEET. — A tribute to the memory of 594, Sgt. Mjr. F. Jack Fleet. D.C.M., M.M., (Fr), who died 26th September, 1950.
Inserted by Colin, Vic. and Bill.' from The Courier Mail 26 Sep 1952 (nla.gov.au)

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Biography

Awarded Medaille Militaire (French) 13 Feb 1917, Awarded DCM 20 Nov 1917

"FLEET.— At Greenslopes Military Hospital on 26th September Francis John (Jack) Fleet. D.C.M., M.M. (Fr.), No 594, C.S.M., A Company, 15th Battalion. First A.I.F."from the Brisbane Telegraph 29 Sep 1950 (nla.gov.au)