Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"...Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas, 29th Battalion. A native of Sussex, England and a salesman from Fairfield Park, Vic prior to enlistment, Lt Dundas embarked with the 4th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Anchises on 14 March 1916. On 20 July 1918 he died from illness and was buried in the Stratford Sub-Castle Cemetery, Salisbury..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

"At POLYGON WOOD on 26th September, 1917, Lieutenant DUNDAS was sniped and badly wounded in the head, but finding that very few Officers remained with the Battalion he insisted on going forward. The Officer who had been detailed to establish communication with the Battalion on our left flank was missing and Lieutenant DUNDAS carried out his duty. His devotion to duty is deserving of special mention. - Lieutenant-Colonel Muir Purser C.O. 29th Battalion Recommendation: Mention in Despatches

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”

Frederick Charles Dundas was born at Hayward’s Heath, Sussex, England on 26th November, 1890 to parents Robert James and Alice Harriet Dundas (nee Eastmead). His birth was registered in the district of Cuckfield, Sussex, England on the December quarter, 1890. Frederick Charles Dundas was baptised on 11th January, 1891 at Cuckfield, Sussex, England.

He came to Australia when he was 21 years old according to information supplied by his father for the Roll of Honour. The Dundas family were passengers on Irishman, which departed from Liverpool, England on 15th March, 1912 bound for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The family consisted of Robert Dundas (Farmer, aged 53), Alice Dundas (aged 50) & their children – Fred (Farm Hand, aged 21), Edwin (Farm Hand, aged 19), Ernest (Farm Hand, aged 17), William (aged10), Ethel (aged 23), Elsie (aged 14) & Lilian (aged 12).  The Ship arrived in Melbourne in May, 1912.

On 17th June, 1915 Frederick Charles Dundas enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 24 year old, single, Salesman His next of kin was listed as his father – Mr P. J. Dundas, 126 Station Street, Fairfield Park, Victoria.  Frederick Dundas stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served for 8 months with 4th Battalion Gloucesters.

Frederick Charles Dundas married Jean Tedge in 1915 in Victoria, Australia.

He was posted to Depot Battalion on 30th June, 1915. He attended Sergeant School & was then transferred on 16th October, 1915 as 2nd Lieutenant with 19th Depot Battalion at Geelong, Victoria.  2nd Lieutenant Dundas was transferred to Broadmeadows, Victoria on 21st November, 1915 & attached to 4th Reinforcements of 29th Battalion on 21st December, 1915.

On 28th December, 1915 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas applied for a Commission in the Australian Imperial Force stating he had served for 18 months with Territorial Force. He had attended “School Sergeant” & had obtained a pass & good certificate at Officers Training School. His postal address was listed as Geelong Military Camp.

He applied for a Commission in the Australian Imperial Force on 11th March, 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Dundas stated he had served for 1 year & 6 months with the Territorials. He had qualified at a competitive examination for first appointment as 2nd Lieutenant from 6th to 8th September at Officers Training School & from 7th to 9th October at Officers Training School.

2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Anchises (A68) on 14th March, 1916 with the 8th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Battalion, 4th Reinforcements & disembarked at Suez on 15th April, 1916.

On 6th June, 1916 2nd Lieutenant Dundas embarked from Alexandria on H.M.T. Franconia & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 16th June, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & also in the county of Dorset.

He was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 8th November, 1916 & was marched out to No. 2 Command Depot to Weymouth from 8th Training Battalion at Codford, Wiltshire on 9th November, 1916. (Dates as per Casualty Form – Active Service)

A birth was registered in 1916 in Fairfield, Victoria, Australia for Eileen Alice Dundas, daughter of Frederick Charles & Jean Dundas (mother’s family name listed as “Tidge” on Victorian BDM’s).

2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas was admitted to 6th Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 21st November, 1916 with Haemorrhage of Lungs. He was transferred to Cobham Hall on 27th November, 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Dundas was admitted to Cobham Hall on 29th December, 1916. He was marched out to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 13th January, 1917. 2nd Lieutenant Dundas was discharged from Cobham Hall on 14th January, 1917 to Perham Downs, Wiltshire. (Dates as per Casualty Form – Active Service)

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 22nd November, 1916 at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “Incipient T.B.” “He has physical signs pointing to Tuberculosis of the Lungs…” The Board found that Lieutenant Dundas was unfit for General Service & unfit for Home Service – timeframe was listed as “uncertain.” The disability was caused by military service – infection.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 28th December, 1916 at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “Incipient T.B.” The Board found that Lieutenant Dundas was unfit for General Service – 8 months but fit for Home Service. Another form with the same date states that he was unfit for General Service for 2 months. The disability was caused by military service – infection.

The Medical Case Sheet for Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas for the date 31st December, 1931 reads: “Observation for T.B. Originally admitted here on    sent to A.I.F. Hd Qrs for Board on Dec 28 and returned same day. Feels quite well.”

On 16th January, 1917 2nd Lieutenant Dundas was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire. He was marched in to 8th Training Battalion at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 17th January, 1917.

He was marched out from 8th Training Battalion on 3rd February, 1917 & marched in to School of Instruction at Weymouth, Dorset on 4th February, 1917.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 22nd February, 1917 at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “Incipient T.B.” The Board found that Lieutenant Dundas was unfit for General Service for 4 months even though he stated he was in good health. He was fit for Home Service. The disability was caused by military service – infection.

On 22nd March, 1917 the proceedings of a Medical Board held at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “Incipient T.B.” “He has lost 5lbs the last 4 months & has been sore in the chest…”  The disability was caused by military service – infection. It was recommended that Lieutenant Dundas was not fit for General Service or Home service – time frame – uncertain.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 16th April, 1917 at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “observation for TB.” “The sputum has been examined six times, the last examination a week ago. All negative. He has gained 4 lbs in weight on the last 4 weeks. Feels well. No expectoration. Appetite good sleeps well no night sweats.” The disability was caused by military service – infection. The Board stated that Lieutenant Dundas was fit for general service.

On 26th April, 1917 the proceedings of a Medical Board held at Codford, Wiltshire, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of “? Incipient TB.” “He was admitted to Tidworth with Pleurisy 21.8.16, discharged 9.9.16, on leave till 14.9.16, reported sick on 16.9.16. On 15.9.16 he coughed up red blood coughs continually, & has greenish tenacious sputum – vomits with coughing – has constant pain in left side, sometimes tender to touch. Lost 2 st. Egypt, put on 6lbs here (in 2 months) appetite good. The site of pain has been constant. ? Incipient T.B. Lung. Class C2.” The disability was not caused by military service. Lieutenant Dundas was not fit for General or Home Service for  “?12 months.”

2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas proceeded overseas to France from Tidworth, Wiltshire on 13th May, 1917. He was marched in to 5th A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 16th May, 1917. 2nd Lieutenant Dundas was marched out to his Unit on 20th May, 1917 from 5th A.D.B.D.  & was taken on strength of 29th Battalion on 22nd May, 1917 from Reinforcements.

From 26th May, 1917  2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas was to be Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas was wounded in action on 26th September, 1917. He was admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance on 26th September, 1917 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to arm then transferred to 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Lieutenant Dundas was admitted to 1st Red Cross Hospital at Le Touquet on 27th September, 1917 with G.S.W to right forearm & right thigh. He was marked for transfer to England on 29th September, 1917 & on 30th September, 1917 embarked on Hospital Ship Peter de Connick.

Having been evacuated wounded, Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas was placed on Seconded List on 26th September, 1917.

He was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England on 29th September, 1917 with GSW to right forearm, right thigh & bayonet would to right hand. He was discharged to Sutton Veny on 5th November, 1917.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 1st November, 1917 at Australian Military Offices, London, England found that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas had the disability of GSW of left arm & left thigh. “For some months he has had cough & expectorant and has not felt well.” The Board recommended that Lieutenant Dundas was unfit for General Service (timeframe uncertain) & unfit for Home Service for 2 months. He was fit for light duty at Home. Another form dated 1st November, 1917 with details of the proceedings of a Medical Board found that Lieutenant Dundas had been wounded on 26th September at Polygon Wood. “He was “peppered” by shell on right forearm & right thigh. The wounds were superficial and are now healed and give rise to no trouble though some fragments are present, quite superficial.”  His injuries were listed as slight & he would be incapacitated from military duty for 6 months.

On 8th November, 1917 Lieutenant Dundas was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England.

From 1st ANZAC Headquarters – Routine Order – Army Corps Commander “expressed appreciation of Gallant services rendered during recent operations.” on 8th November, 1917.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 19th November, 1917 at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England found the Lieutenant F. C. Dundas was suffering from G.S.W. left arm & thigh.  “States he has had haemoptysis about 12 months ago – also pleurisy. Now constant cough with considerable amount of sputum. Appetite good; cough frequently causes vomiting. Wounds cause no disability. ”  The Board found that Lieutenant Dundas was unfit for General Service for 1 month but fit for Home Service.

On 20th December, 1917 the proceedings of a Medical Board held at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England found the Lieutenant F. C. Dundas was suffering from Debility. “He is still debilitated & below normal weight. Result of sputum test & X-Ray report are required for the next Board.” The disability was due to military service – exposure & strain. Lieutenant Dundas was not fit for General Service for 1 month but fit for Home Service.

He was placed on Supernumerary List on 26th December, 1917.

Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas was attached for duty at Tidworth, Wiltshire on 7th January, 1918 from No. 1 Command Depot.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held on 21st January, 1918 at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England found the Lieutenant F. C. Dundas was suffering from Debility. An X-Ray report showed fibrosis of both lungs & Sputum test was negative. The disability was due to military service – exposure & strain. He was not fit for General Service for 2 months but fit for Home Service.

He was restored to Establishment from Supernumerary List & seconded for duty as R.T.O. (Railway Transport Officer), Headquarters,  A.I.F. Depots in U.K. on 7th March, 1918.

Lieutenant Dundas was transferred from 29th Battalion on 21st March, 1918 to P.S.L. (Permanent Supernumerary List) to continue to hold appointment of R.T.O. (Railway Transport Officer), Headquarters, A.I.F. Depots in U.K.

A Medical Report was completed on Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas on 21st March, 1918 at A.I.F. Headquarters, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England. His disability was listed as Fibrosis of both lungs which originated in England in September, 1916. Lieutenant Dundas’s present condition was listed as “still has constant cough & large amount of expectoratim. There is bronchial breathing of both lungs.” His disability was listed as permanent & he was permanently not fit for General Service but fit for Home Service.

On 17th June, 1918 Lieutenant Dundas was admitted to Salisbury Infirmary, Wiltshire with Pneumonia & was reported to be dangerously ill.

Mr R. J. Dundas, 126 Station Street, Fairfield Park, Victoria, was advised by Base Records on 4th July, 1918 that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas has been admitted to Salisbury Infirmary, England on 17th June, 1918 suffering from Pneumonia – dangerous. Mr Dundas was advised again on 19th July, 1918 that Lieutenant F. C. Dundas’s condition had slightly improved.

Lieutenant Frederick Charles Dundas died at 6.45 am on 20th July, 1918 at General Infirmary, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England from Influenza, Bronchitis & Broncho Pneumonia.

He was buried on 23rd July, 1918 in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Stratford-sub-Castle, Wiltshire, England – Plot number 134.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/stratford-sub-castle.html