GAINSFORD, Frederick William Bernard
| Service Number: | 2159 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 April 1916, Dubbo, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 54th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Forest Reefs, New South Wales, 12 December 1891 |
| Home Town: | Forest Reefs, Blayney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Forest Reefs Convent School |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Died of Illness, France, 13 April 1917, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2159, Dubbo, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2159, 54th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Boorara embarkation_ship_number: A42 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Aug 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2159, 54th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Boorara, Sydney |
Letter to his sister Angela
This is transcribed from a Postcard, sent by Frederick to his sister (Angela Gainsford) whilst he was in Boulogne Hospital in France, suffering illness from the trenches. He was to pass away from this illness approximately a month after this letter was written.
"6 March 1917
My Dear Angela
Just a post card hoping this will find you well as this leaves me getting on quite well. I have been in the hospital about a week. I received a few letters from you about a fortnight ago and was pleased to hear from you. I have been in the trenches four times. I will write a letter tomorrow.
From your loving brother Frederick
xxxxxxxx"
Submitted 5 April 2015 by Karen Kemp
Letter to his Sister Veronica
This letter is written on letterhead from Bathurst Military Camp, from Fred to his sister Veronica:
"Recreation Hut, Military Camp Bathurst"
August 6, 1916
Dear Vera
Just fine hoping to find you well as this leaves me the same that night I got back it was very cold got into camp next morning 1.30. I think we are going to Liverpool next week so if we do I will be able to go and see you every week so that won't be to bad. I don't know when we are going away this Camp to be condemned so it will be good thing for the soldiers there are a lot sick in this camp lately. We had snow here yesterday the mountains was covered. I went up town Friday night it was very lively. There has been two soldiers deaths since I came back from Sydney we buried our best Sergeant out of our company yesterday he was worth the whole lot put together. We won't get another like he was there has been nine funerals here since last week. I got letter from Angela today. I saw Bill McCawley few days ago. I think I have told you all the news for the present so goodbye, I remain your loving brother, Fred.
(copy of this handwritten letter has been uploaded to Frederick's profile)
Submitted 5 April 2015 by Karen Kemp
Click images to start slideshow.