Frank John Wilson

Frank Wilson had a short but eventful life.  He was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. around 1892.  It appears that in 1902 he became a ward of the state after his mother died.  Frank's father, who lived at Corrimal, N.S.W. was an invalid and unable to care for the children.

On 1st October 1904 Frank was fostered to Mary Powell at Corrimal.

On 11th August 1914 Frank enlisted (Service No 906) with the Naval and Military Tropical Force, and was sent to New Guinea with H Company.  He was discharged after his enlistment ended on 18th January 1915.

Frank re-enlisted in October 1915 when he was 23 years old, single, and working as a milk vendor.  Frank had served 4 years in the Light horse and Infantry Militia.

Frank was enlisted as a Private, but during training he was promoted to Sergeant.

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A72 Beltana with D Company, 36th Battalion on 13th May 1916.  The troops arrived in England on 9th July 1916 and after training Frank was sent to France, arriving on 22nd November 1916.

In France he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major, on 6th January 1917.  Frank served on the Western Front and on 26th June 1917 was further promoted, to 2nd Lieutenant.

On 21st July 1917, while part of a raiding party, and in an enemy trench, Frank was killed by a gun shot. Due to the heavy fighting his body had to be left where he fell.

There is no known grave for Frank; he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.