PAGE, Frank
| Service Number: | QX1639 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 April 1940, Hughenden, Qld. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Winton, Queensland, Australia, 6 July 1915 |
| Home Town: | Winton, Winton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Winton State School |
| Occupation: | Station Hand |
| Died: | Winton, Queensland, Australia, 7 December 1968, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Winton General Cemetery, Qld RSL 67 |
| Memorials: | Winton & District Roll of Honour WW2, Winton Waltzing Matilda Centre Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Apr 1940: | Involvement Private, QX1639 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX1639, 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion, Hughenden, Qld. | |
| 16 Jun 1945: | Discharged | |
| 16 Jun 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX1639, 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of John Henry PAGE, Post Office, Winton, Qld.
Frank Page was born in Winton on 6th July 1915 and was of Aborignal descnet, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Page. Upon leaving school he was a station hand at Elvo. He enjoyed boxing and playing football. In 1935, a boxing bout was staged between Frank and Cecil Marteene in the Royal Theatre for a side wager of 10 pounds, winnter to take all proceeds. Frank knocked Marteene out in the fourth round.
Frank enlisted with the A.M.F. in Winton on 08 January 1940 aged 24 years. He was in the 2nd/32nd Battalion 9th Division. He served in the Middle East and tobruk and in Spetember of 1940 he was diagnosed with Rheumatic Arthritis.
Taken prisoner at Ruin Ridge on 3rd August 1942 prior to the main battle of El Alemein. As a P.O.W. he was sent to Italy as a farm worker from where he escaped on the 14th October 1943 over the Alps into Switzerland where he was interned until September 1944. He was then transferred back to Queensland to the Brisbane Military Hospital, and then to the Chelmer Convalescent Home in March 1945. He was discharged on the 16th June 1945.
Upon his return to Winton, the chairman of the Winton Shire Council, Cr. T.J. Shanahan, presented Frank with a cheque and a writing case to welcome him home. Frank was noted to comment that parcels of food from the Winton Emergency League and the Red Cross Society made a welcome addition to the prison fare.
Frank "Broonze" page died in Winton aged 52. He was one of the many Aboriginals to enlist in the war and was possibly the only Aboriginal to make a successful escape.
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