Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frank Dridan was my Grandfather. He never talked about the War on his return. As to why he joined up? I cannot answer. Because his mates from Amphitheatre were and maybe a sense of adventure. He never said.

He enlisted at Avoca in central Victoria. SRN 612A served in the 21st and the 5th Battalions from 1915 to 1919.

After a short training period at Broadmeadows he embarked for Egypt with the 21st Battalion, they spent some time at Aerodrome camp Heliopolis.

The 21st was sent to Gallipoli on the SS Southland but it was torpedoed in the Dardenelle's. From Newspaper reports the Aussies were singing and joking as they donned their life jackets and abandoned ship.

The 21st arrived at Gallipoli on the Transport Abassieh landing at ANZAC Cove before midnight 6/9/1915.

Frank was wounded by shrappnel in the knee which became infected. He was sent to Hospital in Malta on the Rewa.

He used to wade in the sea there at the direction of the nurses and said that this is what helped heal his wounds. He was sent home to Australia via egypt, Suffolk and home on the Kanowna arriving in Melbourne 5th of March 1916.

Frank then spent time at the Ascotvale Isolation camp and at the 2nd Depot Battalion Royal Park.

He joined the 24th RTS of the 5th Battalion January 1917.

There was a large gathering at the Amphitheatre Hall to farewell Frank as he prepared to head off overseas again. He was presented with a wrist watch by Councillor Laidlaw on behalf of the residents of the district. Cr Laidlaw expressing his indignation that Private Dridan was being sent back to the front not fully healed.

Left Australia onboard the HMAT Ballarat. He was once agian onboard a ship that was sunk by an enemy torpedo. The Ballarat was hit in the English Channel on the 25th of April 1917.

A newspaper article based on letter he sent home was published on his story of the sinking of the Ballarat and their recovery from life boats. In it he describes how cold it was and that he had forgotten his razor when he grabbed his gear before getting of the ship. Also decribed a steak he enjoyed in the cookhouse, that was the best he had since leaving Victoria.

Frank wrote another letter describing the voyage from Melbourne to England. It was banned from publication by the censor of the time. It would be an interesting read I think.

He was sent to the 2nd Training Battalion Durrington. Frank met an English girl and fell in love. Hilda Yates. He asked her to marry him but she refused to move to Australia.

According to family Frank and his eventual wife, Nellie, corresponded with Hilda for over 50 years.

At the end of 1917 Frank Dridan attended the Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting training course at Aldershot. He was Qualified as good.

Frank was appointed acting Sergeant  2nd Training Battalion at Sutton Veny. The highest rank he achieved but reverted back to ranks several times.

20th of March 1918 Frank joined his unit at Havre in France. In March and April 1918 the battalion helped to stop the German Offensive and paticipated in the Allied offensive near Amiens.

In France, once again Frank was wounded. This time by a bullet wound to his left side and sent to hospital in Havre France.

Recovered and sent to field November 1918.

Returned to Australia July 1919.

Frank Dridan married his wife Nellie Darker in 1920 raising a family of 6 at Amphitheatre before retiring to Ballarat.