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Frank, born at Hindmarsh on the 23rd July 1905 to James Frederick and Florence Emily Dora Botten was a late addition to his family. He had eight siblings including four sisters, Lily, Olive, Myrtle and Beatrice May Victoria (Betty) and brothers Raymond Louis and James Frederick (Jim). By the time Frank was born, the family lived in Kilkenny, to the north-west of Adelaide, named after the Irish town.
Frank attended the local Kilkenny School where a feature one year was the bazaar and pet show, where apart from traditional pets, a rooster harnessed to a toy cart and a cow were amongst the more unusual entries by the children. The funds raised went towards playground equipment. Celebration of Wattle Day and also the holding of Fairs to raise patriotic funds for those serving overseas, were also strongly supported by the school.
Frank’s older brother, 18-year-old Raymond, who worked as a blacksmith, enlisted to serve in WWI in the 6/32nd Infantry in March 1916 as 2889. Because of his age, he required the written permission of his father. Unfortunately, even before he reached England, he had sustained a fractured arm and spent some time in an English hospital before heading to France to join his unit. By February ’18 he had been wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right arm but had time that year to meet and marry 20-year-old Emily Challen at the Registry Office, Wandsworth, London in November. He returned to his unit in April the following year with time in France before eventually returning to Australia in June 1919 (he died on the 31st May ’33 and is honoured in the West Terrace Cemetery).
Soon after Raymond enlisted, Frank’s second brother, 22-year-old James, with an extensive background in the Militia, also enlisted. He served as 33402 in the A Company Base Infantry, including working in the Records Office as a Sergeant. This enabled him to also keep track of Raymond when he was wounded for the second time. James also married during the conflict to Christina.
The war years were challenging for the family. As well as concern for the two overseas brothers, when Frank was twelve years old, his 30-year-old married sister, Lily Florence Davies died in June, 1918 and was buried in the Lameroo Cemetery.
Inevitably, sport was a major activity for young people, with Frank playing football for Bucknell in winter and cricket in summer. Boxing and gymnastics were also considered ‘character building‘ for young boys and both were readily embraced by Frank. Post school he found employment as a farm hand and a colt breaker, undertaking general labouring work at Holden. Post war he joined the Tramways.
Frank married Broken Hill born Doreen Olive Francis (Dory), with their first daughter, Veronica Florence being born in November ’24 at New Hindmarsh. Whilst young, 20-year-old Frank believed that being married with a child would mean he had the rights of an adult. It was therefore a shock that he had to appear in the Gawler Police Courts in February ’26, for having unlawfully placed a bet on the totaliser. Instead of an anticipated win on the horses, Frank, being under 21, was fined £2 and £1 costs.
Veronica was only five years old when her mother died aged just 24 on the 16th June 1930 following the birth of her second daughter, Maureen Lillian in the Adelaide Hospital. She was buried in the Hindmarsh Cemetery. Over the ensuing years, Frank and the family continued to remember her.
Advertiser Thursday 16 June 1932, BOTTEN.—In loving memory of our dear wife and mother, Dorie, who passed away on the 16th June, 1930. Words cannot tell how I miss you. Deep down in my heart lies a pain. God only knows how I miss you As I travel life's lonely lane. —Inserted by her loving husband and daughters, Vonie and Maureen.
Advertiser Friday 16 June 1933, BOTTEN (nee Francis).— In loving memory of our dear daughter, who died on the 16th June 1930. Although you have gone, love lingers on, I just can't believe it is true: Awake or asleep my thoughts always creep Back to the days I spent with you. Mum's dear pal — Sadly missed by her loving parents, brothers and sister, and two little daughters. BOTTEN — In memory of my dear wife who died on the 26th June. 1930. Memoir clings. — Inserted by her loving husband and daughters. Yvonne, Maureen.
Advertiser Saturday 16 June 1934, BOTTEN.—In loving memoir of our dear wife and mother, who passed away June 16th 1930. We think of -you in silence With grief that is deep and true; There is always that sad longing Could we only speak to you. —Inserted by her loving husband and daughters Yvonnie and Maureen.
Advertiser Saturday 15 June 1935, BOTTEN (nee Francis). —In loving memory of our dear daughter, sister, and mother, Of one we loved, and shall never forget. —Inserted by her loving parents, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, and children. Donnie and Maureen.

Eight years after Dorie’s death, Frank’s own mother, 73-year-old Florence died at home on the 25th July ‘38 and was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery.
Frank was 35 when he enlisted to serve in WWII in July ’40, being given the number SX8595. He had been with the Militia for six years, and with the 48th Battalion. At the time, the effects of the depression meant that young men struggled to find employment and the army offered a regular pay. It was a difficult time as by then he had married Maud and was the father of four children with two sons, Geoffrey and Robert added to the girls.
By December that year, Frank’s experience contributed to his promotion to Acting Corporal whilst he was training at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. Following pre-embarkation leave, he left for the Middle East on the Mauretania on 5th February, ’41, arriving on the 23rd of March. Unfortunately, soon after, he strained his right medial meniscus and was briefly hospitalised. At times he reverted to being a Private but was then quickly returned to a promotional position.
By the end of October ’42 Frank was wounded with multiple fractures to his right wrist. At that time, fierce fighting was underway in the massive assault to take Trig 29. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest’. It was a busy time for the tired men. Little or no sleep could be had. A hot meal sent forward after dark was quickly swallowed. There was no time for yarning. Defences had to be improved, more digging and wiring done and patrols sent out.’ On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia. The conditions where ‘arrangements were made for mines, wire ammunition, food, water, overhead cover, sandbags, tools, anti-tank guns, and all the rest, and holding the present position while preparing to launch another attack. And while all this was being done, the battalion was subjected to murderous fire from artillery and mortars. It says much for the battle-drill of the battalion and supporting arms that everything worked out smoothly, going off without a hitch.’
Glenn described that day as the ‘bloodiest fighting in the history of the 2/48th Battalion’ with ‘only forty-one weary troops remaining in the field’, that night was pronounced as the climax of the Alamein Battle. Glenn’s final summing up was ‘Truly it can be said of these men, “They fought themselves and their enemy to a standstill until flesh and blood could stand no more, then they went on fighting.” He added ‘When next the sun drove away those shadows from the desert, death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant men.’ This was all that remained of these proud Rats of Tobruk. In total 48 men from the 2/48th lost their lives in this battle. In added high praise about those who tended the wounded and collected those killed in action “It says much for them that not one man was missing in their search over the four thousand yards from Trig 29 to the Blockhouse, or in the attack of 3,600 yards to Ring Contour 25.” An horrific battle for the proud and very brave 2/48th Battalion.
The events of that month created a turning point in Egypt. John Glenn attempted to capture the conditions. ‘They were the unsmiling eyes of men who have killed or tried to kill and have faced death in its most vicious forms. Theirs was the pride and sorrow of me who had endured too much. When all else was forgotten, they would remember Alamein and their mates who died there…. They had lived a lifetime in one night.’ The men survived being strafed by their own planes, witnessed their own trucks exploding and buried their own men. They also received the congratulations of Mongomery that ‘the part you have played is beyond all praise.’
The November ’42 issue of the Chronicle carried the names of those injured. The 2/48th Battalion was particularly affected. Jack headed the list. ‘Dangerously Wounded. — SX8280 Pte. J. H. Abraham, Inf.. Moonta Mines; SX7824 Pte. Cyril A. Braund. Pt. Victoria, Seriously Wounded.— SX12499 Lt. George J Butler, Henley Beach;(Later died of wounds in N.G.) Wounded In Action.— SX9092 Pte. John. W. P Digan. Adelaide; SX13636 Fte, Kenneth F. Goldner, Colonel Light Gardens; SX7502 Pte. Norman J. Leaney, Maylands; SX10090 A-Sgt. John G. Glenn, Victor Harbor; SX6865 Pte. Robert T. McLaren, Barmera; SX11802 Pte. Alan H Harradine. Adelaide; SX8628 Pte. Leonard Kader, Adelaide; SX7512 L-Sgt. A. R. Cross, Wallaroo Mines; SX14264 Pte. Harold M. Cates, Portland; SX11090 Pte. Howard K. Eastick, Brighton; SX12801 Fte. George C. Bradford, Col. Light Gdns.; SX7436 Pte. John D. Cox, Woodville; SX8595 Pte. Francis W. Botten, York; SX10848 Pte. Alfred C. Capper, Ovingham; SX6931 Pte. Oscar J. Aesche, Monarto; SX8910 Pte. Jack R. Cufley, Allenby Gardens; SX7866 Pte. Raymond A. W. Bloffwitch, Bowden.
The Advertiser at the same time added ‘Mrs. F. W. Botten, of Golding street, York, has been advised that her husband. Pte. F. W. Botten, has been wounded in action in Egypt. He enlisted in May, 1940. and sailed for overseas in February. 1941.
Frank was hospitalised until he returned to Australia on the ‘Wanganella’, a hospital ship, via Freemantle, then to Melbourne where he spent time in the Heidelberg Military Hospital. Finally in April ’43 he was able to return to South Australia and eventually rejoin the 2/48th Battalion in May.
Training in Queensland followed as Frank prepared to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. He left Cairns, arriving in Milne Bay in August ’43 but within months had contracted an extremely high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) followed by Clinical Malaria.
Whilst he was serving in New Guinea, his 18-year-old daughter, Veronica also enlisted as 111464 On the 11th October ’43 as an aircraft woman. She had previously been working as a textile worker, but once enlisted, became a stewardess. She nominated her maternal grandmother Francis as her NOK. Whilst serving, Veronica met Leading Aircraftman Kevin James Graham 122891.
By February the following year, Frank returned to Australia via Brisbane but was again affected by fever and malaria. He was recovering in hospital when his daughter, Veronica married Kevin Graham, also serving with the R.A.A.F. on the 13th January ’45. The Advertiser carried news of this celebration ‘GRAHAM—BOTTEN.—The marriage of Veronica (W.A.A.F.), eldest daughter at Pte. Botten (A.I.F.), and the late Mrs. Botten, Torrensville, to Kevin (R.A A.F.), third son of Mr.-Mrs. Graham, Cowandilla, was celebrated at home, January 13.’ Veronica was discharged on the 7th February and Kevin on the 9th April that year.

Frank’s father, James lived to see his son also return home from war and be discharged on the 3rd August ‘45. Aged 82 James died on the 22nd June ’46 and was buried with his wife at Cheltenham Cemetery.
17-year-old Maureen, Frank’s second daughter, was the next to marry in January ’48 to another WWII enlistee, 27-year-old Alan Leonard Hughes. He served as 146320, a leading aircraftsman who had been discharged in June ’46. The arrival of their daughter, Dianne in December was Frank’s first grandchild.
Aged 86, Frank died on the 17th August ’91 and was buried in the General section of the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Row AJ Site number 55. His wife, Lillian Grace Ellen died the following week on the 26th.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.