Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Craftsman Francis John Mules
Service No: SX9451
Light Horse No: 307658
2/2 Field Workshop A.I.F.
World War II 1939-1945
Date of Birth: March 1st, 1916
Enlisted A.I.F.: July 20th, 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Locality of Enlistment: Kalangadoo
Age: 24 years
Occupation: Labourer
Next of Kin: Rose Mules – Mother

On the 6th of February 1939 Francis John Mules enlisted into the 3rd Light Horse Regiment No 2 Troop 3 Squadron. Camps for the 3rd Light Horse Regiment were held at the Mount Gambier Race Course. Francis (Frank) Mules was discharged on the 2nd of August 1940 even though he had already enlisted into the A.I.F. on the 20th of July after completing medical and other enlistment requirements in Adelaide. After training in Australia for 9 months Craftsman Mules departed from Sydney arriving in the Middle East on the 3rd May 1941.
A lot of the time he was driving trucks in Syria, through the snow-capped hills and mountains.
On the 12th of March 1942 Frank embarked for Ceylon, arriving back in Australia on the 13th of August. After transferring about within Australia preparing for jungle warfare he embarked on the “Duntroon’ from Townsville arriving in Port Moresby on the 12th of December 1942. He was tasked with building forward camps around Port Moresby. By March 1944 the dreaded malaria struck, and Frank was admitted to the 21st A.G. Hospital. He was discharged from hospital on the 3rd of April 1944 and sent back on strength again.
On the 15th of June 1944 he departed Port Moresby for Townsville to undergo more training and refresher courses. He then embarked from Brisbane on the ‘Sea Cat’ disembarking at Moratai on the 13th of May 1945.
Craftsman Francis John Mules returned to Australia after being present at the signing of the Surrender by the Japanese. His war days were over and was discharged on the 25th of October 1945 in Adelaide.
Craftsman Mules completed 1951 days in the A.I.F., 456 days active service in Australia and 1234 days active service overseas. This was made up of:
487 days in the Middle East
558 days in New Guinea
159 days in the South West Pacific
“Quite a remarkable Feat.
Quite a remarkable soldier”

After the war Frank established the family farm ‘Bandoona’. He and his wife Katherine had four children David, Helen, Jim and Phillip.
Frank was assistant judge and scratching steward for the Kalangadoo Race Club.
Frank was a devoted and loyal member of the Kalangadoo RSL Sub Branch. He served on the executive committee for 7 years holding the position of president for 4 years and in 1970 he was awarded life membership. Frank spent considerable time helping other returned soldiers gain soldier settler blocks in the district after the war.
Frank devotion to Legacy was outstanding, nothing being too much trouble. He opened his farm to legatees from Adelaide to stay for a week or two during the summer months and with others like Dick Winser and Harry Dixon, would ensure that war widows and their children in the Kalangadoo and surrounding towns never went without.
Craftsman Francis John Mules passed away quietly on the family farm at the age of 68 years