Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jabez and Mary Ann Frost arrived in South Australia in March 1848. In 1855 they purchased a property at Chinkford (later named Manoora) and named it “Park Hill”. Their son, William Thomas Frost, continued to farm Park Hill after Jabez died in 1876. William married Annie Elizabeth Leeder in 1884 and all of their ten children were born in Manoora. William was a prominent citizen who was made a Justice of the Peace in 1901.

Three of William and Annie’s sons enlisted for service in World War 1.

Born in Manoora on 27 April 1892, Aubrey was the third son of William Thomas Frost and Annie Elizabeth Frost to enlist. A farm labourer, presumably on the family property “Park Hill” at Manoora, he was the only man to actually sign his enlistment papers at Manoora. He did this on the 16th August 1917 at the age of 25 years and 4 months.

Initially encamped at Mitcham for training he was attached to the Australian Army Medical Corps with which he trained until the 3nd July 1918 when he was posted to General Reinforcements. Twelve days later Aubrey entrained for Sydney from where he embarked two days later on HMAT A30 Borda. Half way through the voyage of just over two months Aubrey was in trouble.

“Offence: Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he hooted while articles were being removed from “E” deck by the order of an officer. These articles being in an improper place. Award:  72 hours detention. 3 days forfeiture of pay.”

Two weeks after his disciplinary action Aubrey was admitted to the ship’s hospital for three days suffering from rheumatism and then, after disembarking at London on 27 September, he was admitted to No2 Group Hospital at Hurdcott for 3 days with influenza. A week after being discharged he was readmitted for a week. Finally, on 10 November 1918 Aubrey landed at Boulogne and the following day took part in Boulogne’s armistice celebrations.

Although the war was over Aubrey was assigned for duty with the 3rd Australian General Hospital in France where he worked until 23 January 1919 when he marched out to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station that had moved to Euskirchen in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. Euskirchen was about 20 kilometres south east of Cologne. On 13 April Aubrey was granted furlough in Paris. His furlough finished on 26 April and at midnight on that day 3rd Casualty Clearing Station closed down. The personnel proceeded to Havre to prepare for their return to Australia.

On 28 August 1919 Aubrey returned to Australia aboard HMAT A61 Kanowna from which he disembarked in Adelaide on the 20th September. He was discharged on the 11th November 1919.

5 months after being discharged Aubrey married Dora Leach of Saddleworth. Aubrey and Dora  purchased a farm near Riverton. Aubrey and Dora had two children although tragically their first child died as an infant. Aubrey died in 1974 at the age of 82. and Dora died 5 years later in 1979.

Third son of William Thomas and Annie Elizabeth (nee Leeder) Frost of "Park Hill" Manoora. Two brothers of Aub also enlisted. 2363 Sergeant Perc Frost, 27th Battalion, and 2873 Driver Ernest Frost, 3rd Australian Light Horse. Aub landed in France the day before armistice but served with the Army of Occupation in Germany.