Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frederick Heatley SYMONDS was born on the 8th of August 1882 at the Bank of Victoria, Port Albert, Vic. He was the son of Samuel SYMONDS and Jane HARTRICK, who married on the 15/4/1878 at Warrandyte, Vic. Samuel, a Bank Manager with the Bank of Victoria was transferred from Port Albert to Walhalla in August 1884, and finally to the Inglewood branch in February 1889.
Samuel died on the 4/9/1931 at his home in East Malvern, Vic, aged 81, and Jane died on the 29/8/1942 at a private hospital in East Malvern, aged 85.

Siblings:  George Standish 1879 – 1958;  Henry Stace 1881 – 1963;  Hilda Marjorie b.1885 m. Wm Hy McCALL;  *Edgar Bell b.10/7/1892 Inglewood – WW1: LCpl 625, 5th Bn – 1st Pioneers – marr Violet A.M. STEWART 1935 - WW2 – d.29/8/1964 NSW;  Samuel Victor 1897 – 1924.

Religion: Church of England
Member of the Inglewood Dramatic Club (1913)
Occupations: Ledger Keeper, Bank of Vic Ltd 1902 Inglewood; Bank Clerk, Kookynie, Coolgardie, WA 1906; Insurance Agent (on enlistment); Orchardist at Quantong 1919 – 1930; Anglican Priest 1931 until his death

WW1 Service:
Fred volunteered for active service with the 1st AIF on his 32nd birthday, the 8th of August 1914. He also started a diary on the same day which he kept until his birthday a year later. [see “Links” for full copy]. He was sworn in at Bendigo on the 19th of August and following his training embarked on the A3 Orvieto on the 21st of October together with his younger brother Edgar. They were sailing with F Company of the 5th Battalion, Fred as Private 533 and Edgar as Private 625. The Orvieto was the flag ship for this First Australian and New Zealand Convoy which eventually departed Western Australia on the 1st of November, and also carried the Headquarters staff and the war correspondent, Charles Bean. Following the encounter and decimation of the German cruiser, Emden, by one of their escort the HMAS Sydney, the Orvieto was one of the ships that took on a group of the captured crew, and Fred found that guard duty made “a lot of extra work.”

Originally detailed for England, their destination was altered during the voyage, and they reached Egypt at the beginning of December. Camping on the desert sands at Mena they continued their training and saw the sights. With the reorganization of companies in early 1915 from 8 to 4, F and H Coy of the 5th Bn were combined to form the new D Coy. Fred and Edgar eventually embarked at Alexandria on the Novian on the 5th of April 1915 to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, and they arrived off Lemnos Island on the 9th. Finally on the 25th of April they got the chance to put all their training to use during the Landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula. “We were under heavy shrapnel fire while landing”. “The first sight that greeted us was some dead comrades, and a host of wounded.”

Fred picked up his first wound that day when he was hit in the shoulder with a piece of shell, and he was told to return to the dressing station with a badly wounded soldier. “I had a terrible job to get him down to the station. The first difficulty was to get him away from the fire zone. We had to go slowly, and I expected we would both be riddled, but, by some good fortune, we got over the ridge without mishap. The poor chap was in such pain that he could not bear to keep still. It took me quite four hours to get him to the dressing station, and as soon as I had my shoulder dressed, which by good luck was not seriously hurt, I got to work with a party taking ammunition to the firing line, first unloading it from a barge under a continual fire of shrapnel, then taking it up the hill to the firing line – a terribly heavy task.”

All this time Fred was worried about his brother Edgar, but before the day was out they managed to find each other amongst all the confusion; both safe and sound. The following day he commented “We had a lot of casualties to-day; feel terribly weary; don’t know what keeps us going, excitement, I suppose. Have seen some terrible sights; we must all be savages.”

2nd May – “A lot of our men are suffering from dysentery. Edgar is on the sick list for a day or two with it.”
5th May – “We go to reinforce the 29th Division to-night at Cape Helles, that is, we of the 2nd Brigade only; a choice bit of work, I believe.”
7th May – “We gave the enemy a terrible shell fire this morning; don’t see how anyone can stand it.”
“We talk of the Turk not being a fighter, but he is very tough.”
29th May – “The half-hour before we start [under fire] is the worst part of it to me; when I am going I don’t feel anything except a desire to act as quickly as possible. I felt worried about Edgar more than anything; it is a mistake to have a brother with you, I think.”
16th June – “…very bad with dysentery, so is Edgar. I can’t eat the food; feeling weak and ill, …"

Fred’s second wounding came at midnight on the 3rd of August when he was hit on the head with an incendiary bomb, which burnt his scalp and clothes. He was admitted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station (ACCS) before being transferred to the Ionian and taken to Lemnos where he was then transferred to HMS Clacton. On the Clacton en-route for Egypt he noted that it was “Grand to have a bed to sleep in, and no kit to wear all night.” He made his final entry in his diary on his birthday on the 8th of August as they were nearing Alexandria.
The following day, the 9th, he was admitted No. 1 General Hospital at Heliopolis.

Following his release from hospital, Fred was attached to the Garrison Camp at Zeitoun where he was engaged in clerical work. He was admitted to No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia on the 13/3/1916 with Mumps, and after being discharged on the 21st was posted to the 2nd Training Battalion, Zeitoun on the 22nd.

On the 2/8/1916 Fred embarked on the HMT Franconia for England where he spent the following year in camp. Finally, on the 11/10/1917 he crossed to France and after spending some time in the Service Corps and the 2nd Motor Transport Coy, eventually rejoined his old Unit, the 5th Battalion on the 31/5/1918.
Suffering from Bronchitis he was admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance on the 5/7/1918 – transferred to the 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station – then the 54th General Hospital, Boulogne on the 6th and finally to the Base Depot, Boulogne 25-28/7/1918.
Having rejoined the 5th Battalion in the field on the 15/8/1918, a month later on the 22/9/1918 he was marked for return to Australia on transport duty and 1914 Leave.

Fred embarked on the 8th of October 1918 at Taranto, Italy on the Port Sydney, and arrived back in Melbourne on the 2nd of December.  Returning to Inglewood a few days later he was given a hearty welcome home by the townspeople.  He was then discharged from the AIF on the 31st January 1919.

Married Hilda Handfield (Bobs) HASLETT in September 1919 at Edithvale, Vic. (reg. 5145)
Born on the 21/8/1898 at Fremantle, WA, Hilda was the daughter of Thomas Davis and Constance Elenor HASLETT – she died 22/4/1963 in Balmain, NSW – late of Wahroonga.

Children:  Samuel Victor b. c1919 – died 1926, age 7 Bunningyong; David Heatley b.&d. June 1920 Horsham (3 days old); *Peter Roderic b.1/4/1922 at Ulverston Private Hospital, Gardenvale – enlisted in WW2 20/5/1943 at Fremantle, WA – res. of Creswick, Vic. Army No. VX138952 (V12931), discharged 5/1/1945, a Sapper in the 4 AA Bty RAA Williamstown; Betty Margaret b.c1923 – died 1933, age 10; Twins: Ian Standish and Constance Elenor b.1929 – d.3/12/1982.

1919: Took up land at Quantong through the Closer Settlement Board
Resident of Quantong in 1920, 1922 (Orchardist)
1930: Cancellation of his holding at Quantong

1931 Electoral Roll: Reader, C of E Vicarage, Panmure, Vic
1931, 1936 ER: Mininster of Religion, Bungaree, Vic
1935: C of E Priest – Resident of Bungaree
1936, 1937: C of E Priest – Res. of Murtoa
1938: Koroit
1943 to 1949: Minister of St John’s Anglican Church, Creswick
1949 ER: Anglican Priest – Creswick (moved 6/3/1950)
1950, 1952: C of E Priest, Diocese of Ballarat – Res St Luke’s, Ballarat
1954 ER: Clergyman – St John’s Vicarage, Creswick (on his own)
1954: C of E Priest, Diocese of Ballarat – Res Creswick
1957: 1/9/1957 Admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Home, Ballarat
1962: C of E Priest, Diocese of Ballarat – Res Queen Elizabeth Home, Ballarat

Having suffered for some time with gangrene in both legs, Fred died from Toxaemia on the 30th of September 1962 at the Queen Elizabeth Home, Ballarat, aged 80 (reg. 20183). He was cremated Tuesday 2nd October at the Ballarat Crematorium.

*************

Bendigo Advertiser, Wed 30 Apr 1902:
CYCLING ACCIDENT
Mr Fred Symonds, ledger-keeper at the Bank of Victoria Limited, met with an accident through a fall from a bicycle last evening. He was in the act of lifting his hat to some passing ladies, when the front wheel of his machine struck an obstacle on the road, causing it to swerve with such force as to throw the rider to the ground. He sustained a broken collar-bone.

Inglewood Advertiser, 21/8/1914:
District Patriotism
MEN VOLUNTEER FOR SERVICE
As was the case when need previously arose, Inglewood has in the present crisis been in no way behind other centres in providing soldiers ready to shoulder arms and sally forth in defence of the Empire. ……………
The names of those who have so far left for camp from Inglewood are – Messrs …., F.H. Symonds,…

Inglewood Advertiser, 25/6/1915:
Mr S. Symonds has received the welcome intelligence from his sons, F.H. and E.B. Symonds, who were in the initial attack on the Dardanelles, that they are both well and had come through the ordeal safely. The message was written on 13th May.

Inglewood Advertiser, 9/7/1915:
Mr S. Symonds received a service card from his two sons, Privates F.H. and E.B. Symonds, notifying that they were well and uninjured.

Inglewood Advertiser, 23/7/1915 – From a letter from L/Cpl J.J. Palmer, dated 10/6/15:
I often see E. Charleton and H. O’Keefe. Both are well, as are also the Symonds.

Inglewood Advertiser, 6/8/1915:
A further batch of letters from soldiers at the front arrived on Wednesday, and were keenly welcomed by relatives and friends. An idea as to the difficulties experienced by the men in attending their correspondence may be gained by the fact that in one instance the inside of a cigarette box was used, the author of this novel writing pad being Private H. Morse, while in another two cards which bore a message from Private F.H. Symonds were stuck together with jam.

Inglewood Advertiser, 17/8/1915:
Sincere regret was generally expressed on Friday evening when it became known that Mr and Mrs Symonds had been informed that one of their two sons fighting in Gallipoli, Private F.H. Symonds had been wounded. The message received stated that he had been struck on the head by a bomb, and had been removed on the 9th inst. to the hospital at Alexandria. On Saturday morning Mr Symonds cabled to ascertain the extent of the injury. Private Symonds and his brother were among the few local soldiers who went through the memorable landing in safety, and it is sincerely hoped that his injury is but slight.

Inglewood Advertiser, 31/8/1915:
A pleasing feature of the week-end was a communication received by Mr S. Symonds to the effect that Private F.H. Symonds, wounded in the head, was progressing favorably.

Inglewood Advertiser, 10/9/1915:
Private F.H. Symonds has written to his parents, Mr and Mrs S. Symonds, giving particulars of the injury sustained by him last month. While on observation duty at midnight an incendiary bomb was thrown at him by a Turk. Private Symonds instinctively shielded his face with his arm, but the burning liquid scorched through his cap into his scalp. His face was slightly burnt also, but the injury was not as severe as it might easily have been, and his friends will be pleased to learn of his favorable progress towards recovery.

Inglewood Advertiser, 14/9/1915:
Mr and Mrs S. Symonds have received from Private F.H. Symonds a diary kept by him of each day's doings since his enlistment. Private Symonds enlisted on his birthday, and it is a coincidence that the last entry should have been made on his following birthday, when he was in hospital at Alexandria receiving treatment for a slight wound. The record is a remarkably complete one, and gives an excellent description of a soldier's life and doings, both in training and on active service. Private Symonds's experiences, which may be taken as typical of those of the members of the first contingent, will make most interesting reading to those having interests at the front. The diary has been submitted to the Censor, and will be published on it being released in sections.

Bendigonian, Thur 16 Sept 1915:
PRIVATE F.H. SYMONDS
Private F.H. Symonds, recently reported in the”Bendigonian” as having been wounded at the Dardanelles, is a son of Mr Samuel Symonds, manager of the Inglewood branch of the Bank of Victoria. Prior to joining the Expeditionary Forces he successfully carried on business as an insurance agent. He was methodical in his business habits, and when he went into camp at Broadmeadows carried this trait with him, and at once commenced to keep a diary, which he has, since he was wounded, forwarded to his parents in Inglewood. It is somewhat of a coincidence that the first entry in the diary was made at Broadmeadows on his 32nd birthday, and the last at Gallipoli on his 33rd birthday – a very interesting 12 months’ record of an exciting and thrilling period. Private Symonds went into camp at Broadmeadows with his brother, Private E.B. Symonds, and the two kept together until Private F.H. Symonds was wounded in the trenches at Gallipoli by an incendiary bomb while on observation duty at midnight. He saw the bomb approaching and instinctively placed his arm over his eyes, thus saving them from injury. However, he sustained severe face and scalp burns, but latest advices were to the effect that he was progressing satisfactorily, and hoped to be soon at the front again. Incidentally, he mentioned that it was a delicious treat to get into a hospital and to lie on a bed after the trench life, and to have the feeling that one could rest at peace without the thought of death being near at hand.

Inglewood Advertiser, 15/10/1915:
Private F.H. Symonds writes from the Heliopolis Hospital to the effect that the skin and hair burnt off his face and head by the bomb explosion which invalided him is fast being replaced by a new growth. Private Symonds is now engaged in clerical work, and has refused a permanent appointment to this duty in order that he may rejoin his brother and camp mates in the trenches.

Inglewood Advertiser, 21/3/1916:
Private J. Thomas, writing to this office from Egypt, reports that he, J. Simpson and J. Simons, who are in camp together, have met D. Baker, D. and F. Donaldson, E. Staley, F. Symonds, W. Watkins, S. Bailie, M. Barry, C. Gladman and a lot of others. Nearly all Inglewood appeared to be over there, and all he had met were well.

Inglewood Advertiser,15/5/1916, - From a letter from Lieut H. Wright:
Fred Symonds was acting as a clerk, in the Base Medical Stores.

Inglewood Advertiser, 15/5/1916 – From a letter from Sig. D.L. Parry:
Have seen a number of other Inglewood boys, but they are in various places now. Fred Symonds is at Zeitoun still, I think. He had just left the “mumps hospital” the last time I saw him.

Inglewood Advertiser, 22/9/1916:
Mr and Mrs Symonds have also received a service card from Private F.H. Symonds, who is in France. Private Symonds was wounded in Gallipoli, and was afterwards stationed in Egypt.

Inglewood Advertiser, 6/10/1916 – From a letter from Dvr R. Freestone, dated 8/8/1916:
We are kings this trip, not ‘bullock teams’ like we were on the other boat. Fred Symonds is on this boat. He has two stripes.

Inglewood Advertiser, 6/10/1916 – From a letter from Dvr R. Freestone, dated 22/8/1916,England:
Fred Symonds and the others are still near me.

Inglewood Advertiser, 3/12/1918:
Three Anzacs, Privates F.H. Symonds, Weston of Glenalbyn, who enlisted from Inglewood, and Rees, who disembarked in Melbourne yesterday, will arrive in Inglewood by the midday train on Thursday. Arrangements for their welcome will be made at a meeting of all interested to be held at the Town Hall tonight.

Inglewood Advertiser, 6/12/1918:
Anzacs Return.
PRIVATES F.H. SYMONDS AND H. REES
HEARTY RECEPTION ACCORDED.
LANCE-CORPORAL BURKE ALSO WELCOMED.
Inglewood has again acquitted itself creditably in respect to portion of its obligation to its soldiers. Just as the soldiers gave of their best in the service of the country, so did Inglewood give of its best in the welcome accorded yesterday to Privates Symonds and H. Rees, two of the Anzacs who have won for Australia such a proud name. To Private Symonds no one needs an introduction. The third son of Mr and Mrs Symonds, he has spent the greater portion of his life in Inglewood, and on returning is merely taking up the threads of old friendships and renewing acquaintance with scores anxious to give expression to their admiration of his gallantry and self-sacrifice. Private Rees, son of Mr and Mrs F.H. Rees, was not known locally owing to the fact that Mr Rees came to Inglewood after he had enlisted, but that mattered not one scrap, as within a few minutes of his arrival his circle of acquaintances had greatly extended, and he was given a full share in the hearty welcome arranged, townspeople deeming it a privilege to extend to him the hand of greeting and fellowship.
Throughout the morning townspeople had been busy with the erection of flags and decorations, …………On the arrival of the mid-day train the soldiers were greeted by an excited, cheering crowd, and were given a greeting remarkable for its cordiality and sincerity. After a short interval they were placed in motor cars by officials of the Welcome Home Committee, and a procession of cars was formed. This was headed by Mr A. Nixon’s car bearing Private Symonds and his parents, Mr C. Freeman’s car following with Private Rees and his parents on board. Other cars were provided by Mr D. Cooper, Mr J. Turpie, Miss Gillespie (driven by Private C.S. Boyle) and Mr E.K. Wilson. After a short tour of the streets the Town Hall was reached, and here great enthusiasm was displayed, the hall being packed. “Home again” was sung by the Cheeros as the guests proceeded to the platform where they were joined a little later by Lance-corporal Burke, of Bulabul, who was also heartily cheered.
The National Anthem having been sung, the Mayor fittingly expressed the feelings entertained by all present to the soldiers stating all were proud to welcome heroes who had done so much for them and the Empire. (Applause) ……….
On rising to respond Private Symonds was accorded a reception which denied him speech for an appreciable period. It was he stated, a rather pleasant but trying ordeal to have to respond to the reception given, but it was very nice to be welcomed in such a manner. They had made up their minds that they would be quite content to return quietly, but they had not got the chance. (Applause) One lesson the war had taught every soldier, if he was an honest-minded man, and that was what love of country meant. A man never did appreciate his own country until he was forced to live out of it under trying conditions, but he could tell them that they appreciated Victoria, and always maintained that there was no place as good. (Applause) But they had to guard it and to get the right people to govern it. The soldier had learned love of country and in the soldier they would find a man who had its interests at heart and who was best fitted to rule it, and his advice was stick to the soldier. (Applause) They were very glad to be home again, and heartily appreciated all that had been done for them. They felt that they would like to be a little more worthy of the occasion. (Applause)
The Mayor stated that all present would coincide with the remarks of Private Symonds. As a community, they had done all possible for the welfare of soldiers during the past four years, and he was sure, would continue to do so. ……………………

Pithy Pars.
A welcome home social will be held at the Town Hall to-night in honor of Anzacs F.H. Symonds, Rees and Weston. All are invited.

Inglewood Advertiser, 10/12/1918:
Welcome Social to Anzacs.
ENJOYABLE EVENING.
Another successful and enjoyable welcome home social was held at the Town Hall on Friday evening, the guests on the occasion being Anzacs F.H. Symonds, H. Rees, Burke and Weston. …………
The Mayor presided, and again there was a splendid attendance of townspeople, all appreciating the opportunity of doing honor to the men who had rendered the Empire such service. On entering the hall, which was beautifully decorated, the Anzacs were given a rousing reception.
The National Anthem and “God bless our splendid men” having been sung, the Mayor delivered a brief address of welcome, ……………
On behalf of the Welcome Home Committee, ……………
Private Symonds, in responding, expressed the hearty appreciation of his comrades and himself at the welcome given them. They regretted that some absent comrades would not be returning. He knew one or two of the finest men in the A.I.F. who had come from Inglewood, and it was the one regret that they could not be with them. (Applause) They had made the great sacrifice, but he did not think they had grudged it. He knew that in one or two instances, if they had grudged it, life could have been saved. (Applause) He knew Inglewood would not forget her fallen when all was over and some means could be adopted of substantially recognising their great service. (Applause)
Private Symonds was then called upon for a musical item, and with the solo, “The Sea is England’s Glory,” gained a hearty and persistent encore. Cheers for the Navy followed.
The following programme was then carried out:- ……….; duet, “The Battle Eve,” Private Symonds and A.R. Taysom; …………
Supper was then handed round, ……………
Dancing was later indulged in, concluding an evening which proved thoroughly enjoyable.

Inglewood Advertiser, 21/1/1919:
Wedding
A military wedding, in which considerable interest was taken, was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church yesterday, the contracting parties being Miss Doris Manthorpe, daughter of the late Mr T Manthorpe, and niece of Mrs E. Webb, of Inglewood, and Driver Frank E. Dawson, of Ballarat. Miss Clarice Siddall, of Bendigo, officiated as bridesmaid, and Private F.H. Symonds as best man. The bride was given away by Mr W. Tatchell, senr. The Rev McLean officiated. ………………

Inglewood Advertiser, 28/3/1919:
SERPENTINE.
RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED.
The Shire Hall, Serpentine, was filled to its utmost capacity on Tuesday evening, the occasion being a welcome home to a number of district soldiers ……………
Cr A. Ettershank (president) occupied the chair. The first portion of the evening was occupied with a musical programme, in which Miss Howells and Messrs F.H. Symonds, N.G. Tilley and A.R. Taysom took part. All items were cordially received. Mr Symonds himself a returned Anzac, was accorded a hearty ovation on his appearance on the stage. …………

The Horsham Times, Tue 8 Jul 1919:
LAND FOR A SOLDIER
The Secretary of the Shire of Wimmera (Mr James Hocking) has received an intimation from the Secretary of the Closer Settlement Board (Mr James W. Butler) stating that with reference to Mr Allen Knight’s land, in the parish of Quantong, 47 acres 39 perches, he wished to inform him that the Closer Settlement Board had agreed to purchase it on behalf of Mr F.H. Symonds, a returned soldier, of Quantong.

The Herald (Melb, Vic), Tue 29 Jul 1919 (p.4):
WOMEN’S WORLD
September Wedding
September is the month fixed for the marriage of Miss Hilda (“Bobs”) Handfield Haslett, daughter of Mrs T. Haslett, “Mon Plaisir,” Aspendale, and Mr Frederick Heatly Symonds, son of Mr and Mrs S. Symonds, Inglewood. The bridegroom elect served with the Australian Army on Gallipoli.

The Horsham Times, Fri 25 Jun 1920:
OBITUARY
The infant son of Mr and Mrs Frederick Heatley Symonds, orchardist, of Quantong, died in a private hospital in Horsham on Wednesday. He was only three days old.

The Argus, Fri 7 Apr 1922:
BIRTHS
SYMONDS – On the 1st April, at Ulverstone private hospital, Gardenvale, the wife of Frederick Heatley Symonds, Quandong – a son. Both well.

The Horsham Times, Tue 16 Dec 1930:
WIMMERA SHIRE
Meeting of the Council – Correspondence
………………………………..
Closer Settlement Board, re cancelling F.H. Symonds’ holding at Quantong. – Received.

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Thur 7 Jul 1938 (p.12):
PERSONAL NOTES
The Rev. F.H. Symonds, who has been vicar of the parish of Murtoa for two years, has been appointed to Koroit.

Ballarat Courier, Tue Oct 2, 1962:
DEATHS
SYMONDS – On Sept 30, at Ballarat, Rev Frederick Heatley Symonds, husband of Hilda and father of Peter, Ian and Constance.
FUNERAL NOTICES
SYMONDS – The funeral of the late Rev Frederick Heatley Symonds will leave Christ Church Cathedral, Lydiard street south, for the Ballarat Crematorium this day, Tuesday, Oct 2, after a service commencing at 1.45 (one forty five) p.m. F.W. BARNES & SON.