DYER, Frederick Edwin
| Service Number: | 1054 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 January 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broken Hill, New South Wales, 26 June 1894 |
| Home Town: | Broken Hill, Broken Hill Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 15 October 1917, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Broken Hill Barrier District Roll of Honour, Broken Hill War Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient) |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1054, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1054, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1054, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 15 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1054, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres |
FREDERICK EDWIN DYER
Frederick Edwin Dyer 26th June - 15 October 1917
Frederick Edwin Dyer was born near Lane Street, North Broken Hill, New South Wales on 26th June 1894 and lived with his family at 282 Gossan Street, West Broken Hill.
His parents were Mary and Frederick Edwin Dyer. Frederick also had a sister, Lily who was three years older than him.
A talented football player, Frederick Dyer was vice-captain of the West Rovers team in the Suburban Association in 1913, captain of 82nd Barrier Infantry team playing against the Army Medical Corps and 12th Field Company Engineers on the Jubilee Oval, Broken Hill on 5th June, 1915 in a match to raise funds for the local branch of Red Cross Society. He was also Captain of the Albion's Football Club and was mentioned as an unselfish player in a newspaper report. The Albion's Football Club was formed on 28th January, 1914 and it was re-formed in 1915.
Frederick Dyer had served one year in 82nd Senior Cadets and was transferred to 82nd Infantry. He had been serving for three and a half years in Broken Hill when he enlisted in January 1916.
After completing his education, Frederick Dyer was employed as a trucker on the Broken Hill Proprietary Mine from 2nd July till 8th January 1916.
14th January 1916, Frederick Dyer travelled by train to Adelaide to the Morphettville Camp to enlist, to serve his country, in the Great War. He was appointed to B Company, 43rd Infantry Battallion, 1st A.I.F. His Service No. 1054.
Completing his training, Frederick Dyer, along with the 43rd Battalion, embarked on the ship S.S. Afric and left Outer Harbour 9th June, 1916 arriving in Marseilles six weeks later on 20th July, 1916. From here, the ship sailed to Southampton, England where the 43rd Battalion disembarked and travelled by train to Lark Hill, a training area for soldiers, before the battalion's departure to the front to fight for King and country.
25th November 1916 Frederick Dyer and his battalion, proceeded overseas to France to fight on the Western Front.
31st July 1917, the first day of the Battle of Ypres, Frederick Dyer was wounded in action, in the field, with a gunshot wound to his back and head. He was sent to the Australian Casualty Clearing Station to be admitted to 5th General Hospital at Rouen 2nd August, 1917.
6th August 1917, Frederick Dyer was sent to the 2nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen for his wound to be healed.
16th August 1917, the Army Base Records sent a letter to Mary Dyer [mother] in Broken Hill advising her son was wounded in action.
26th August 1917, Frederick Dyer rejoined the 43rd Battalion in the field to continue combat on the Western Front.
Seven weeks later, on 15th October 1917, Frederick Dyer was
KILLED IN ACTION in the field in Belgium.
FREDERICK EDWIN DYER has no known grave.
Five years later........
7th April 1922, Frederick Dyer's parents received a British War Medal for the late Private F.E. Dyer, 43rd Battalion.
10th April 1922, Frederick Dyer's parents received a Memorial Scroll and King's Message in connection with the late No. 1054 Private F.E. Dyer, 43rd Battalion.
11th November 1922, Frederick Dyer's parents received a Memorial Plaque in connection with the late No. 1054 Private F.E. Dyer 43rd Battalion.
8th March 1923 Frederick Dyer's father received by Registered Post, one Victory Medal for No. 1054 Private F.E. Dyer. He also received the British War Medal.
Frederick Dyer is listed on the War Memorial in Argent Street, Broken Hill.
His mother, Mary Dyer, was so devastated by her son's death and suffered greatly from the loss of her only son and died 24th June, 1926.
From the newspaper Barrier Miner [Broken Hill] Saturday 1 December, 1917 pge 4.
DEATH FOR KING AND COUNTRY
DYER - On October 15, 1917, killed in action in France.
Frederick Edwin Dyer, beloved son of F.E. Dyer and M. Dyer, of Gossan Street,
age 23 years.
He left his home, his native land,
To help Australia's gallant band.
His heart was brave, he knew no fear,
And Freedom's cause to him was dear.
The soul of his country swells with pride,
With the deeds he did and the death he died!
His manly form rests in a foreign grave,
But his name will live with Australia's brave.
Great is our sorrow, but God knows best-
He has taken our loved one home to rest.
Lest We Forget
Written by Lyn Smith [great neice]
Submitted 24 July 2018 by Lyn Smith
Biography contributed by Lyn Smith
"PRIVATE F. E. DYER KILLED IN ACTION
Mr. F. Dyer, of Gossan-street, Broken Hill, has been informed by the military authorities that his only son, Private Frederick Edwin Dyer, has been reported killed in action in France. Private Dyer, who was 23 years of age, had been previously reported wounded. He enlisted in Broken Hill, and left Australia on June 9, 1916. He went to the front a year ago this month. Prior to enlisting Private Dyer had been employed on the Proprietary mine. He used to be captain of the Albions Football Club." - from the Broken Hill Barrier Miner 19 Nov 1917 (nla.gov.au)
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