Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Fred was born in Yackandandah, Victoria, on the 19th of November, 1883, the youngest of nine children to John Joseph and Ann (née Higgins) Puddephatt. 

In 1901, Fred’s father sustained a fractured skull, the result of a fall from a wagon. It left him an invalid and, in 1910, he passed away. Newspaper reports indicate that Fred was a prominent member of the Wodonga Rifle Club for many years and a valued member of the Wodonga Tennis Club, where he bore a reputation of being a good clean sport.

Fred enlisted on the 16th of March, 1915, at Wodonga. He was single, 31 years of age and working as a labourer. His Regimental Number was 686 and he was placed in C Company of the 24th Battalion. This battalion was raised quickly. It was originally intended that the fourth battalion of the 6th Brigade be filled by recruits from the outer states. However, due to the surplus of Victroian recruits at Broadmeadows it was decided that the 24th would become a Victorian battalion.

The battalion embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides at Melbourne on the 10th of May, 1915. The voyage to Egypt was not without its tragedies. Eight men became ill in the oppressive heat and died. They were buried at sea with full honours, the first casualties of the battalion. Port Said in Egypt was reached in mid-May. After disembarking they travelled by train to Cairo. 

On the 28th of August, the 6th Brigade received orders to break camp and embark on the transport Nile at Alexandria. The sea journey took two days. On the 3rd of September, after only a few days on Mudros, the 22nd and 24th Battalions embarked on the SS Abasiah, arriving off ANZAC Cove on the morning of the 7th. The battalion would spend the next 16 weeks sharing duty in the Lone Pine trenches with the 23rd Battalion.

By late November the weather at Gallipoli had turned extremely cold with severe frosts and snow. Even so, the Turks continued to harass the Allied forces both day and night. On the 28th of November the Turks introduced new Austrian heavy howitzers that fired 12-inch shells. The following day the 24th relieved the 23rd at 0900 just as the heaviest ever bombardment of Anzac troops hit Lone Pine. It lasted for over three hours. Casualties for the two battalions exceeded 100. 

584 Corporal A.W.Patch  of C Company, 24th Battalion, was a witness to the events on the 29th of November, 1915.

“Witness says that on 29/11/15 (the day of the bombardment of the Lone Pine Hill) Puddephatt was standing in the front fire line trench with Lieut Beath (who has since lost a leg), Sgt P.E.B.Shepherd (killed), and Sgt Robinson (wounded). These four were standing together under some light over-head covering, when what was apparently a broom-stick bomb struck the covering killing Puddephatt instantly. He was buried at Brown’s Dip by Chaplain Bladin of 23rd Btn. on the following day (30/11/1915). Lt Beath was in 2 A.G.H. at Gezira.”

After the war, Fred’s remains were exhumed and reinterred in the Lone Pine Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, and the Baranduda State School Honor Roll. For his service during the First World War, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

In May of 1916, Fred’s mother received a letter from R.J.Robertson, a close friend of Freds. It was published in the 5th of May, 1916, edition of the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel.

“A few lines of my deepest sympathy in the loss you have sustained. Your son Fred and I were chums at Broadmeadows, shared the same tent in Egypt, the same dug-out on the peninsula. I loved him as a brother, and I am proud of having had his friendship. We were on duty together in the firing line. I was walking along the trench to speak to him when the fatal shot was fired, and as a result I have been here in hospital ever since. Fred was a universal favorite; he lived a gentleman and died a hero. I mourn with you, and trust that the Great Architect will comfort and sustain you and yours in this time of sorrow.- R.J.Robertson, St Paul’s Hospital, Malta.”

R.J. Robertson was Robert John Robertson (No. 590) of Wangaratta, Victoria. He was killed in action on the 26th of August, 1916, at Mouquet Farm and has no known grave.

The December 1st, 1916, issue of the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel included the following “In Memorium”.

“PUDDEPHATT. - In loving memory of Corporal Frederick Charles Puddephatt, beloved youngest son of the late John Joseph and Ann Puddephatt, Wodonga, killed in action on 29th November, 1915.

Call not back the dear departed

Anchored safe where storms are o’er;

On the borderland we left them,

Soon to meet and part no more,

Far beyond the world of care

We shall meet our missing loved ones

In our Father’s mansion fair.

- Inserted by his loving mother, sisters and brothers.”

Corporal Fred Puddephatt had enlisted in Wodonga during March 1915. He arrived on Gallipoli during August 1915 and was promoted to Corporal three weeks before he was killed. On the 29 November 1915 when the Turks shelled the trenches at Lone Pine. The bombardment was so intense the roof and sides of many of the Anzac trenches collapsed. Over 40 men from the 24th Battalion died during the shelling. Fred Puddephatt was seen to be killed and he was buried the next day at Browns Dip. These graves were subsequently moved to the Lone Pine Cemetery.

Fred’s older brother, 3914 Pte. Thomas Henry Puddephatt 1st Bn. Australian Pioneers, was later killed in action on the Western Front 24 April 1916, aged 37.

They were the two younger sons of John Joseph and Ann Puddephatt, of Wodonga, Victoria. The father had died during 1910 and their mother received their medals and effects.

The Wodonga newspapers reported that Frederick was “a prominent member of the Wodonga Rifle Club for many years, being very popular with his comrades. He was also a valued member of the Wodonga Tennis Club, and bore the reputation of being a good clean sport and a manly chap.”