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Frank was part of William and Elsie Maude Hale’s large family. He was the second son, born on the 1st March, 1920 in Adelaide. In all, there were three sons, Frederick, Frank and David and nine sisters, Elsie (who died as an infant), Esther, Nellie, Winifred, Daphne, Gertie, a second Esther (called Betty), Alice and Mathina. Frank grew up in Laura, a rural, northern town in SA, famous for its Golden North ice cream. He and his siblings all attended the local Laura School and were regular attendees at the Laura Baptist Church and associated Sunday School.
William had experienced on-going challenges as a returned WWI Digger but his local sub-branch of the Laura Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League was particularly generous of ‘the special needs of one of their comrades, Mr. W. Hale who has a block on the Laura-Crystal Brook road. Mr. Hale has spared no effort to make good on his holding, but ill health has handicapped him a good deal. It was reported at the meeting that he has been compelled to go to the Keswick Military Hospital for treatment and several weeks are likely to elapse before he will be able to return. From a number of residents of the town and district assistance of a practical character has been received and the subbranch are grateful to the Laura Milling Co, Laura Jockey Club, Messers R. Magor, A. Bovrett, Mesdames T. A. Kleinig, H. Wegar and others who assisted Mr and Mrs Hale and family. Mrs Hale is courageously endeavouring to carry on while her husband it under medical treatment and her comrades are taking steps to secure financial assistance to assist.’ This report in the September ’24 edition of the Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier elicited a number of generous donations to help the family.
Just four years later, when Frank was seven years old, his mother Elsie died in August, ’28 having spent some time in Intensive Care in Adelaide. She was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. The Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier shared the sad news that ‘Mrs. Hale, wife of Mr. W. Hale, of Laura, died at the Adelaide Hospital on Monday. The sympathy of the residents of the town and district goes out to the bereaved husband, who is a returned soldier residing on the Laura-Crystal Brook road, who is left with nine young children, the youngest being an infant about three months old.’ The close-knit community also reflected the sympathy felt for the Hale family as when the Laura Council met, the Mayor also reported Elsie’s death in Adelaide and ‘recommended that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mr. Hale and family.’
In response, William’s family placed a tribute stating that ‘the family of the late Mrs. Elsie Maud Hale wish to thank all friends and relatives of Laura, Henley Beach, and Adelaide, for expressions of sympathy in their sad recent bereavement, also thanking Sisters and Nurses of Bic Ward for their attention and kindness.’ William later remarried Alica Ada Baum who became ‘mother’ to the children and also adding her own to the family.
Post school, Frank gained employment as a farm hand but was also part of the 9/23rd Light Horse Militia from late in 1939, attending several camps at the start of 1940. Reflecting the conditions experienced in WWI, Frank also signed that he could supply a ‘suitable horses for Home Training parades and Camps of continuous Training.’
It was unsurprising that, with the outbreak of WWII, Frank enlisted as his father had served in the 1st AIF during WWI. Frank had his medical at Clare on the 15th June ’40 and formally enlisted on the 3rd July ’40 at Wayville, just after his 20th birthday, becoming SX7700 and was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Frank returned home to farewell his family, then as he returned to Adelaide, many friends and local representatives gathered at the Gladstone Railway Station where he was presented a wallet with the Local R.S.L representative complimenting Frank ‘on the step he was taking to assist in the great, conflict and wished him a safe journey and a speedy return.’ Other speakers also spoke in praise of Frank before the local R.S.L. Women's Committee also making a presentation of a parcel of knitted comforts, and a fountain pen. Pte. Hale suitably replied and the proceedings concluded with the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow’.
By November ’40 the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before heading to Tobruk. . From there, Frank was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt.
Soon after arriving in the Middle East, Frank’s father died. The Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier carried a detailed obituary. ‘Mr. W. Hale, who died suddenly at Laura on February 17th, was the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Hale, London. In 1907 at the age of 19 he came to Australia, settling in Western Australia with an uncle later returning to England for a short period, then again came to Australia, this time settling in South Australia. In 1912 he married Miss Coppins of Walkerville and in September 1920 they came to reside in Laura, where they had taken up a block on the Laura -Crystal Brook road. His first wife predeceased him in 1928. In 1931 he married Miss A. Baohm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Baohm of Laura. The deceased was a member of the R. S.S.I. L.A. having enlisted in 1917. He was for some time a member and officer of the Baptist Church. A widow and nine children survive: Six daughters Mesdames J. Baohm (Laura), G. Kearsley (Henley Beach), Misses Winnie (Adelaide), Daphne, Gertie, Betty, Alice Mathina. Three sons, Messrs. Fred (Whyalla), Frank (Overseas, 2nd. A.l.F.). David (Gawler Camp).’
By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk. By May ’41 Frank was promoted to Corporal and within five months had again been promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant. A period of hospitalization preceded his brief return to his Battalion for four months before aged 22, Frank was killed in action in Egypt on the 31st October ’42 in the fierce fighting to take Trig 29.
Conditions were ever-changing and the fighting relentless. The 9th Battalion was ordered to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29. In his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ John Glenn describes that time “which was to be the most bitter and bloody fighting of the war. When next the sun drove away those shadows from the desert, death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant men. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty-one weary troops would remain in the field.” He continued: “At zero hour, 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between the troops and the guns… Added to this, the troops came under heavy shell fire as they were forming up, and suffered casualties before they commenced their attack… One gun was landing shells right amongst the men. As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and from then until they reached their objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.”
His 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.” 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.
Back home, The Advertiser in November ’42 carried the news that ‘Sgt. Frank W. Hale, 22, second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Hale, of Laura, who was killed in action in Egypt on October 31 was mentioned yesterday as Pte. Hale. He had been in the Middle East for two years and had served in Tobruk. Palestine, and Syria.’ The Areas Express also contained the sad news: ‘Mrs. J. Baohm, of Laura, has received advice that her brother, Sgt. Frank Hale, 22 years, was killed in action in Egypt on October 31, 1942. Sgt. Hale was the second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Hale, of Laura. He enlisted in 1940 and left Australia in the same year, and had been in action in Tobruk, Palestine and Syria.’
The Laura community continued to remember Frank (although did not always accurately recall his rank). In October ’45 ‘On Sunday, October 21, a Service of Remembrance was held in the Laura Baptist Church in memory of the late Rev. J. L. Asser, a former minister of the church; Pte. Ralph Campbell. A.I.F., Pte. Frank Hale, A.I.F. and L.A.C. Cyril Venables. R.A.A.F.’ Many ex-servicemen were present in the congregation. Part of the tribute recognised that ‘Pte. Frank Hale, A.I.F., an old Sunday School scholar nobly paid the supreme sacrifice In the Middle East; we today enjoy our liberty through the sacrifice of these noble heroes.’ The RSL attended and in a moving ceremony ‘The illuminated cross bearing the words "Lest We Forget" was lit up and the president recited the words of "They shall not grow old," and the singing of ''Lead Kindly Light" brought a very impressive service to a close.’
He was initially buried in the field, then in March ’43 was moved to the El Alamein British Military cemetery before his final resting place in the El Alamein War Cemetery in March ’45. He now rests in Plot A2, Row C Grave 9 with 27-year-old SX6963 Private R Jackson, 29-year-old WX10432 Corporal J Hamilton, 23-year-old SX13102 Private T McMullin, 22-year-old SX8113 Private M Riley, 23-year-old SX13580 Private R Grist and 30-year-old WX14061 Private A Warner all from the 2/48th Battalion who died on the same day as Frank and members of the 2/8th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions.
Family and friends and his fiancée continued to remember Frank.
Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1943 HALE, Frank W. In loving memory of our brother, Frank Killed in action on Oct 31st at El Alamein 1942. Those who loved him will never forget. Inserted by his family. HALE – In memory of Frank, killed in action in Egypt October 31st 1942. So dearly loved so sadly missed. Always remembered by his fiancée, Joyce. HALE – In loving memory of brother, L/Sgt Frank W Hale, killed in action El Alamien Oct 31st 1942. Many hearts are sad today as we think of you sleeping far away. Inserted by sister, brother-in-law, Trix and Jim. HALE – A tribute in memory of Sgt F.W. Hale killed in action in Egypt Oct 31st 1942. Honoured with Australia’s brave. Always remembered by Regg Lightfoot (A.I.F. ret) and Mrs Lightfoot.
Advertiser Tuesday 31 October 1944, HALE.—Tribute of honor to Sgt. Frank Hale, killed In action. El Alamein, October 31, 1942. "Called to a higher service."—Always remembered by Reg and Myrtle Lightfoot. HALE.—In loving memory of Frank, killed in Egypt October 31. 1942. Not Just today, but every day in silence we remember. —Ever remembered by his sister Gertie. HALE, L-Sgt. F. W. killed In action. El Alamein. October 31. 1942. You died defending us. dear Frank, the highest price you paid, we pray we may be worthy of the sacrifice you have made.—inserted by loving sisters and brothers. HALE.—In loving memory of Frank who was killed in action at El Alamein October 31. 1942. Those who loved him will never forget.—Ever remembered by J Joyce.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 31 October 1945, page 14 HALE - ln memory of Frank, who died at El Alamein. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."—lnserted by his sister Win.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 31 October 1947, page 20 HALE.—In memory of Frank, killed, El Alamein. October 31. 1942. Not Just today, but every day. in silence do we remember. —Ever remembered by his sister Gertie and brother-in-law Claude.

By 1953 Frank’s medals were received by his family. He had earned the1939/45 Star, the African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.