Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Frederick Balfour McBryde was born Frederick Balfour Schultz, the son of Charles Augustus Schultz and his first wife Charlotte Balfour in Melbourne (Victoria) on 12 May 1892.

Frederick’s father was born and educated in Sydney; he was with the head office of A.M.P in Sydney (1877-1884) then transferred with the A.M.P. to Melbourne (sub accountant 1884-1894), New Zealand (accountant), and Melbourne (accountant) before being appointed resident secretary to South Australia from 1904 till his death in 1914. Frederick’s mother passed away when the family was in New Zealand and Charles later remarried a Miss Biddle.

Schooling

Frederick was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne and at St Peter’s College, Adelaide. He passed his Junior Public Examinations at St Peter’s in 1905 and won the Form VA prize for Latin. In 1906 Frederick competed for St Peter’s in the Inter-collegiate sports and passed his Senior Public Examinations. He passed his Higher Public Examinations in 1907 and 1908 and was on the general honours list in 1908. Frederick was a member of the Cadets while at both Colleges.

University

In 1909 Frederick commenced studying Law at Adelaide University. He attended the University Ball in 1912. His LLB was conferred in December 1912.

University Sport

Cricket
Frederick played cricket for the University in the 1909/10 season (B Grade).

Football
Frederick played football for Glenferrie in the Amateur League but was eligible to play for the University and represented the University at the 1911 Intervarsity.

Athletics
Frederick competed in the 1911 University Sports coming second in the 220 yards flat.

Early Career

Frederick was articled to Messrs Knox and Hargrave. While he graduated in 1912, Frederick had to wait until he turned 21 in 1913 to be admitted to the bar. In March 1913, Frederick joined the service as Third Associate to the Supreme Court. In August 1915 Frederick’s uncle, Frederick Frank Schultz (who had succeeded Frederick’s father as A.M.P. resident secretary to South Australia) changed his name by deed poll to Frederick Frank McBryde. By October 1915 Frederick and his stepmother had also changed their names to McBryde. Frederick applied to the court to have his name changed on the roll and to ensure he did not lose precedence due to his change of name.

In addition to playing football for Glenferrie, Frederick was a member of the Adelaide Rowing Club.

World War I

On the 10th of January 1916 Frederick enlisted as a private “C” Coy, 2nd Depot battalion. On joining up Frederick was described at 23 years 7 months, 5’9 ¼”, with a medium complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. On the 16th of January Frederick was appointed a Corporal and on the 1st of February 1916 he was sent to N.C.O. School at the Mitcham Camp and was appointed as a Sergeant. After attending the school for officers at Duntroon, Frederick received his commission on 25th of July 1916 and was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant, 50th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements.

On Thursday 9th of November 1916 Frederick married Natalie Lucas, elder daughter of the Hon. E. Lucas, M.L.C., Medindie at “Innisfall”, and the residence of the bride’s parents.

Frederick embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 10th of February 1917. He was at the 13th Training Battalion, Codford and the Candahar School of Instruction before proceeding to France on 8th of August 1917. He was promoted to Lientenant1 March 1918. On the 5th of October 1918 he transferred to the Australian Corps Infantry School.

From the 14th of February to 24th of June 1919 he was granted leave for non-Military employment. During that time, he studied at the Council for Legal Education, Lincoln Inn Fields. He returned to Australia on “The Orsova” on 18th of July 1919. His appointment was terminated on 13th of November 1919.

After WWI

After the war Frederick resumed his duties at the Supreme Court as associate to the Chief Justice (Sir George Murray) and recommenced studying at Adelaide University receiving his BA in 1920.

On the 12th of April 1920, Frederick and Natalie’s son Lucas was born at Quambi, South Terrace. Tragically Natalie died on the 28th of May 1920, Natalie died aged 25, and she is buried at the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth. The couple had been living at Kent Town.

Frederick played tennis and attended dances and balls and in August 1922 he was appointed an honorary magistrate. At various times, to cover periods of leave, Frederick was the Acting Public Trustee. In August 1923 Frederick was appointed Deputy Master of the Supreme Court.

In January 1924 Frederick purchased a Dodge and may have been one of the people who provided cars to take people to the Supreme Court picnic in March 1925. In January 1926 Frederick was awarded his Intermediate Certificate by the Federal Institute of Accountants.

The pen portrait (see document) was published in the News in January 1927.

In May 1927 Frederick was appointed from the roles of Deputy Master of the Supreme Court, Chief Clerk in Equity, Deputy Registrar in Admiralty, and Registrar of Companies, Industrial and Provident Societies, and Trade Unions to the role of Acting Master of the Supreme Court, Acting Registrar in Admiralty and Registrar of Companies, Industrial and Provident Societies, and Trade Unions.

Frederick married Florence May Battye (b 1899) on 30 January 1927 and on 17 July 1938 their son, Ian Balfour McBryde, was born at North Adelaide.

June 1929 it was stated “Mr. F. B. McBryde (Deputy Master of the Supreme Court) has been selected by the Government as representative of the second division of the Public Service on the Public Service Board of Enquiry in place of Prof. L. G. Melville, who has resigned.”

In November 1932, Frederick after about seven years as Deputy Master, was appointed Master of the Supreme Court, Registrar of Probates and Registrar in Admiralty by the Executive Council. In December that year he was present when Chief Justice (Sir George Murray) was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.

In December 1932 Frederick and Florence took a pleasure cruise to Noumea. From 1933 Frederick’s name appeared frequently in the Sports Section of the papers playing golf. He became a member at Kooyonga and played in a number of A.I.F. Golf Days. By 1934 Frederick and his family were living at Palm Street, Medindie. In 1935 he became a member of the newly formed Duplicate Bridge Club. In January 1936 Frederick took a period of extended sick leave but the papers did not report the cause and by September that year Frederick was well enough to win the Law Society Golf competition. Frederick also became a member of the Board of Examiners of Clerks (articled). In March 1937 the salary for Frederick’s roles was £1,150 p.a. and by December 1939 it had risen to £1,231 17/6.

Frederick was present in August 1934 when Sir Winston Dugan became the new Governor of South Australia.

World War II

Frederick enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) as a Private on 5th April 1942 and then appointed as a Lieutenant on 7th July 1942. He was described as 49 years 10 months, with a fair complexion, dark hair, going grey and blue eyes. He stated that he had a broken nose in 1912 and his tonsils removed in 1926. He was placed on the Reserve List on 25th November 1945.

His WWII Service Record (SN S68345) is at:
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6416309

Frederick’s elder son, Lucas McBryde, became a Flying Officer in the RAAF. In November 1942 Lucas became engaged to Roberta Malcolm and the couple married in late December 1942. Lucas was awarded the D.F.C. for numerous sorties against enemy targets. He became a Flight Lieutenant, No. 250 Squadron (RAF).

Frederick administered the Oath when Sir Willoughby Norrie became Governor in December 1944.

Frederick was present when the Chief Justice, Sir Mellis Napier was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor in May 1947.

Sadly, on the 19th of August 1950, Frederick’s second wife, Florence, passed away at their home at 8 Palm Street, Medindie. Florence was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery.

In 1953 Frederick was a present at the swearing in of a new Governor, Sir Robert George.

While the beginning of 1953 had brought sadness to the family, the latter part of the year was more joyful with the birth of Frederick’s first grandchild, Bronte, a son, born to Lucas and Roberta. This was followed in December by the engagement of Frederick’s younger son, Ian to Helen Lines of Medindie. The couple married in October 1954.

Frederick was awarded a Coronation Medal in June 1953. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 9th of June 1955, Frederick was made a Companion of the Imperial Service Order (ISO). Frederick retired from his role as Master of the Supreme Court in 1957, aged 65 years.

Death

Frederick passed away on 17 April 1977, aged 85, and was cremated at the Enfield Memorial Park, SA.

Legacy

Frederick’s younger son, Ian Balfour McBryde attended St Peters and Adelaide University, gaining a Bachelor of Engineering. he became a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (A.M.) for services to scouting in the Australia Day honours List in 1978.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.