TICKLE, Frank William
| Service Number: | 1087 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | St Stephens, Cornwall, England, May 1888 |
| Home Town: | Warracknabeal, Yarriambiack, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Red Cliffs,Victoria, Australia, 16 July 1952, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Melbourne | |
| 28 Apr 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 8th Infantry Battalion, On Gallipoli | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , remained on duty | |
| 5 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion | |
| 13 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 8th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , GSW to right leg | |
| 20 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Aug 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, Broodseinde Ridge, He led his company throughout with such fearless disregard of danger as to inspire his men to great effort. When they came under heavy shell fire he halted his men in shell holes, and went out to a flank and engaged the enemy with a machine gun. During the fight for the final objective he was again heavily opposed by a machine gun. He led his men forward with great gallantry and personally killed the entire gun crew and successfully captured the position. He set a splendid example of courage and determination. | |
| 12 Sep 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1087, 8th Infantry Battalion |
Passing the Baton, Maguire to Tickle
During the early hours (between 1am and 2.26am) of 4th October 1917, Lt Tickle, 'A' Company, 8th Battalion, crouched over his mortally wounded friend: Lt J T Maguire, MC, who had just been knocked over by artillery shell burst guiding his men up to the assembly point for the dawn attack. Maguire uttered his last words: "Leave Me..I'm Done...Lead My Men On." Later that morning, in an inspired moment, Tickle did just that, leading his men up Broodseinde Ridge and personally overcoming stiff opposition which led to his own award of Military Cross. Lt. Tickle had the humanity to contact the family (Maguire) of his fallen comrade and convey to them the last dying words of a beloved son and brother. This communication resulted in the poem "Lead My Men On" written by Marion Miller Knowles and first published in the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser, 23/01/1918 (available in TROVE).
Took a while to track you down, Cobber, but your act of kind thoughtfulness inspired the poem, and your communication over a fallen mate has meant you are remembered by many more than your own family!
Submitted 26 March 2019 by Dennis Nelson
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