FROST, Eric Austin
| Service Numbers: | 435622, Q133226 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 July 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 31 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Atherton, Queensland, Australia, 27 December 1923 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Accidental, Netherlands East Indies, 12 February 1945, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Ambon War Memorial, Indonesia Col 9 |
| Memorials: | Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mossman War Memorial, Port Douglas Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 435622 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1942: | Involvement Private, Q133226 | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q133226 | |
| 23 Jun 1943: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q133226 | |
| 23 Jun 1943: | Discharged | |
| 1 Jul 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 435622, No. 31 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 435622, No. 31 Squadron (RAAF) |
Eric Austin Frost
Eric Frost was my grandmother’s brother. The Frost family, from Queensland, had 7 siblings: Peg, Leslie, Bill, Arthur, twins Shirley and Eric, Joan.
Leslie (male) passed away when he was 19 from aplastic anaemia.
Eric, as this page notes, died during WWII.
The other siblings all married and had families.
Shirley, Eric’s twin, said that Eric went away to war and never came home. Even 60 or so years after his passing, she clearly still missed him. Joan said that Eric was a Rat of Tobruk, although official records don’t list him as such so Joan may have been mistaken.
Submitted 10 April 2021 by Bronwen Luck
Biography contributed by Marjorie Earl
FROST, Eric Austin, one of twin children born to William Aubrey and Margaret Agnes Frost nee Hartney on 27 Dec 1923 in Atherton, Queensland. His twin sister was Shirley Olive Frost (1923-2014).
Eric was a single Clerk, living with his family in Will Street, Mossman, Queensland when he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 18 Jul 1942 - aged just 18 years and 6 months. His Service Number was Q133226. Prior to enlistment, in 1941-42, Eric was a member of the Mossman Volunteer Defence Corps. After enlistment, Eric served with 1 A.E.M.C. Trg Depot and on 15 Jan 1943, he qualified as an electrician. Just six months later, he was discharged from the A.I.F. "for the purpose of being enlisted in the R.A.A.F."
After a week's break, Eric enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 01 Jul 1943. Unfortunately, at this stage, Eric's R.A.A.F. Service Records have not been digitised but his new Service Number was 435622. Joining 31 Squadron, he rose to the rank of Flight Sergeant and became a Navigator.
On 2 January 1945, Eric enjoyed home leave in Mossman with his brother, L.A.C. Arthur Ivor Frost and a number of other Service personnel. They each received a gift from the local Australian Red Cross. One can only imagine the joy the family felt in having two of their three serving sons home during the festive season. Tragically, their joy turned to despair the following month when Eric was killed when his plane crashed off Gila Point, Morotai, Indonesia. He was just 21 years old.
MEMORIALS: Eric is remembered on the grave of his brother, Leslie Hamiliton Frost, (1916-1932) who lies buried in the Martyn Street Cemetery, Cairns, Queensland.
MILITARY MEMORIALS: Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mossman War Memorial, Port Douglas War Memorial.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO HAVE SERVED:
Father: FROST, William Aubrey, WWI, 39300, Gunner, Field Artillery Brigades, WWII, Q219673, Mossman Detachment, Volunteer Defence Corps. (1889-1952)
Brother: FROST, William Aubrey Austin, QX3585, L/Sgt., 2/32 Fld Coy, R.A.E., 9th Div. (1918-1980)
Brother: FROST, Arthur Ivor, 425634, L.A.C., R.A.A.F.
Information from: National Archives of Australia, Virtual War Memorial Australia, Trove, Ancestry.
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