Francis Henry Pugh

Francis Henry (Frank) Pugh was born in North Sydney, 1893, to George Horatio Nelson Pugh and Annie Sparkes (nee). Prior to the war he was a farm labourer.

He enlisted on 19 May, 1915 at Bogan Gate at the age of 22 years and 11 months. He embarked on 25 June, 1915 from Sydney on HMAT Berrima, ship A35. Frank was in the 20th Infantry Battalion.

Frank suffered from a medical condition and was admitted to hospital multiple times while on active service. He was deemed medically unfit after being diagnosed with epilepsy and was officially discharged from the A.I.F at Sydney on 23 August, 1916.

He settled in Bellambi after the war and then moved to 29 Daisy St, Fairy Meadow. He married Lucy Harriett Birch (nee) and they had two children, George and Joyce Annie. Frank subsequently worked as a miner.

He died in Wollongong, 1983.

Frank’s family have preserved not only photos and postcards from his service but personal possessions, letters and trinkets which were sent to his parents and wife-to-be.

N.B. Service photo: Frank Pugh is seated.