Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography:
Frederick Vaughan Curtis was born on the Eleventh of December 1897 at Little Bushey, Bushey Rural, Watford. Registration District, Watford 1898,Sub-district of Bushey in the County of Hertford, England. The birth was registered on the Eleventh of January 1898.Registrar,Agnes Beaton.
Frederick Vaughan was the first born child to Frederick Joseph Curtis and Elizabeth Mary[mn] Parker who married at Holy Trinity Church in the Parish of Holy Trinity Penge in the County of Surrey on March 11 1896.
Frederick Joseph was 27 years of age, Occupation, Master Mariner and Residing in Bushey, Herts. Fathers name was William Curtis, Profession, Gentleman. Mothers maiden name was Harriet Vaughan. Elizabeth Mary's father was Richard Parker, Merchants Clerk. Mother, Emma Louisa[mn]Hewlett.[extract FROM MARRIAGE CERT]

The family settled in Chefoo North China where father, Frederick Joseph established a business with his brother trading under the name of Curtis Bros.
Frederick Vaughan, still a teenager was sent to New South Wales Australia to study farming. At the outbreak of World War 1 and while living in Griffith NSW he enlisted in The Australian Military Forces at Marrickville on 24th September 1914.Description:Age,19 years 5 months.Height,5 feet 8 inches.Weight,9st 12 lbs. Chest measurement,32-34 inches. Complexion, Fair. Eyes, Hazel. Hair, Brown. Religion, C of E. In fact he was 16 years 10 months and 12 days old.
Next of kin: Mrs F .J. Curtis, Chefoo North China.

No.1189 Driver Curtis, Frederick Vaughan, embarked for Gallipoli Peninsula on 12.4.1915.Suffering from Influenza he was transferred from Gallipoli to Lemnos Island 8.7.1915.Rejoined Unit at Gallipoli Peninsula 9.7.1915.Transfered[ex Anzac]to Egypt 25.10.1915.After Cairo and Alexandra he embarked per S.S. "Haverford" for Marseilles on 11.6.1916.On the 4.10.1916 was Awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field.{
On the 12.10.1918 Embarked for Australia on "Prince George" from Havre and was discharged on the 26.2.1919.
While Driver Curtis was on his way to war his father was drowned in Chefoo Bay 30 May 1915.Mother Elizabeth Mary and brothers Arthur , Frank and sisters Mary and Margaret migrated to Australia aboard the "S.S. Taiyuan" in 1915.
Frederick Vaughan Curtis married Marjorie Harder in 1923 and they had 4 children. He died 2 January 1941 and is buried in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, New South Wales.
ROOKWOOD CEMETERY TRANSCRIPTION" In Loving Memory of My Dear Husband and Our Father Frederick V. Curtis Died 2nd Jan 1941.Aged 43 Years".AT REST Till WE MEET AGAIN.
Footstone."DAD" (There is no mention of his Military Service or that a Soldier of The Great War is buried here.) A Memorial Plaque would be wonderful, my enquires to do this have been unsuccessful.
Frederick Vaughan Curtis always referred to as Vaughan by family members was a resident of Glen Innes, NSW towards the end of his life, died Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney, his burial was on 4th January 1941.
He was survived by his wife Marjorie Agnes sons John Frederick and Cecil daughters Susie and Marion.

MILITARY: Dear Madam,
I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Fifth Supplement No.29827 to the London Gazette of 16th November,1916,relating to the conspicuous services rendered by NO.1189 Driver F.V.Curtis,26th Army Services Corps.
Awarded The Military Medal.
"His MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the MILITARY MEDAL for BRAVERY IN THE FIELD to the undermentioned soldier:-
No.1189 Driver Frederick Vaughan Curtis"

The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 62 of 19th April 1917.
Copy of letter addressed to: Mrs. F. J. Curtis, Chefoo, North China.
The actual dates are as follows:4.10.1916.1st Anz. R.O. Awarded Military Medal. Field 4.10.16.
29.11.1916.AIF. Orders.Awarded Military Medal for bravery in the Field.
No.1189 Driver Curtis F. V. was also awarded the 1914/15 Star No.25315.British War Medal.No.6366.Victory Medal No.6234

Honours and Awards - Frederick Vaughan Curtis
Service Number: 1189
Rank: Driver
Unit: 20th Co AASC
Service: Army
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Award: Military Medal
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 19 April 1917
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 924, position 44
Date of London Gazette: 16 November 1916
Location in London Gazette: Page 11144, position 44
Honours and Awards - F V Curtis
Service Number: 1189
Rank: Driver
Unit: 4th Divisional Train
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Award: Military Medal
Date of recommendation: 28 August 1916.