Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Among the recipients of military awards last week was Sgt. Frank G. Nash, D.C.M., a son of Mr. W. Nash, of the Government Produce Department, Adelaide. The young hero received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for organizing and maintaining a visual signal station on an exposed ridge swept by enemy fire on the western front. Sgt. Nash was one of the first South Australians to enlist. He left this State on August 22, 1914, with the Signal Engineers. He participated in the landing at Gallipoli on April 25 last year, and only left the peninsula a few weeks before the evacuation. He went to France with the first batch of Australians in March last. Before 'the great push' Sgt. Nash was temporarily appointed an instructor in signalling in the Royal Flying Corps, and for two months he made daily flights. Two of his brothers are serving with the colours — Staff-Sgt. R. J. Nash and Sgt. M. E. Nash." - from the Adelaide Register 27 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)

Frank Geoffrey Nash born to William Nash and E. Nash in Hyde Park, South Australia. He was schooled at Goodwood Public School and worked as a traveller before the war. Nash enlisted on the 18th of August 1914, Adelaide South Australia. He had two brothers who also served Staff-Sgt Reginald James Nash and Sgt Malcolm Ernest Nash. Frank Nash embarked 20th October 1914 on the HMAT Karroo from Melbourne.

. In October 1915 while at Gallipoli he was sent to hospital in Lemnos and then Mudros due to dysentery. He rejoined his unit in November. In January 1916 he was hospitalised with jaundice for a couple of weeks. During this period of time he was promoted twice firstly to Corporal on 27th July 1915, and then Sergeant 1st January 1916.

On the 23rd of July in 1916 Nash was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal because  of his bravery at Pozieres “he organized and maintained a permanent visual signal station on an exposed ridge, affording no cover, and continually swept by enemy shell fire” (Base Records Office, A.I.F, 17th of January 1917).

Nash was gassed on the 30th of October 1917 in France. He was then treated by field ambulance and then admitted to 4th General Hospital. He was moved to England on board HS Newhaven and admitted to Queen Mary Military Hospital in Whalley 7th November 1917. After taking furlough, he was transferred to Salisbury Plains to convalesce at depot.

While on service Nash had committed two crimes, both which resulted in him being demoted to lower ranks. The Field General Courts Martial had reduced him to the rank of Corporal for being in Amiens without a pass despite 1st. Div. Routine Order No.48 on the 26th of February 1917, and he was reduced to the rank of Sapper by Field General Courts Martial on the 19th of April 1917 for absenting himself from without leave from 7:30 to 9:30pm on the 25th if March 1917.

His mother asked that Frank be allowed to returned home early due to the length and bravery of his service. She had discovered that Frank had been gassed. She stated in the letter that 3 sons had served, and one was dead (Malcolm Ernest) and one was wounded at Lone Pine and was serving at Depot in England due to his injuries (Reginald James). Her request was granted and after 3 years and 315 days of service Frank Geoffrey Nash was able to disembark in Australia on the 14th of June 1918 and was discharged from the AIF on the 28th of June 1918.

At some stage after the war Frank Nash moved to Western Australia. He died at Claremont 21st June 1958 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.