Francis Burleigh CALESS

Francis Burleigh CALESS Update Details

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CALESS, Francis Burleigh

Service Number:	25
Enlisted:	19 April 1915, An original of A Company
Last Rank:	Captain
Last Unit:	26th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Southport, Queensland, Australia, 17 April 1894
Home Town:	Ayr, Burdekin, Queensland
Schooling:	Richmond Hill State School, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia
Occupation:	Sugar farmer
Died:	Killed In Action, Pozieres, France, 5 August 1916, aged 22 years
Cemetery:	Serre Road Cemetery No.2 Beaumont Hamel, France Plot XXV, Row F, grave No. 11 (remains discovered 1930)
Memorials:	Ayr Great War Honour Roll, Ayr War Memorial, Charters Towers Richmond Hill Teachers and Ex-Pupils Great War Honour Roll

World War 1 Service

19 Apr 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 25, 26th Infantry Battalion, An original of A Company
24 May 1915:	Involvement Private, 25, 26th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: ''
24 May 1915:	Embarked Private, 25, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Brisbane
27 Aug 1915:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 26th Infantry Battalion
2 Jun 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 26th Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

Son of George William and Delia Caless, of Ayr, Queensland. Born at Southport, Queensland.

Caless was promoted from Private to Lieutenant just prior to the 26th Battalion landing on Gallipoli in late August 1915. He took part in several raids on the Western Front during the AIF's first few months there. He was recommended for a mention in despatches for his work on the day he was reported missing.4

He was said to have been killed by a shell at Pozieres on the 4 August 1916, several men stated so in his Red Cross file. He was listed as missing for some 12 months before he was confirmed killed in action 4 August 1916.

During 1930 his remains were discovered near Pozieres, identified by his disc, an epualette which held the three stars of his badge of rank, and an officers tunic and revolver holster. His father was very pleased his body had been found and reinterred in the Serre Rd No.2 Cemetery. Francis's brother, 1803 George Richard Caless served with the 41st Battalion and returned to Australia in 1919.

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