Frank Curran

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 04/02/2016 - 11:47

First Name:

Frank

Last Name:

Curran

Mother's Name:

Dorothy (nee Bartram)

Father's Name:

John Curran

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, October 23, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Frank Curran (Service No 4498) was born in Newcastle, NSW about 1890.

The family came to the Illawarra and at the time of enlistment he was a single 25 year old miner from Austinmer, NSW.

Frank embarked on RMS Osterly with 14th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 15th January 1916 however soon after arriving in Egypt in March 1916 he was admitted to hospital with influenza. He was transferred to 45th Battalion on 31st March 1916 and went to France with them where he served on the Western Front until 15th October 1916 when he was wounded in action. Frank was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his right arm, however due to the seriousness of his injury he was returned to Australia in May 1917 and discharged medically unfit on 28th July 1917.

A newspaper story stated he was the first Austinmer enlistment to return home and the welcome home group presented him with a gold signet ring and a pocket wallet containing coins.

Frank's service is commemorated on the Austinmer War Memorial.

Frank's brother, John Curran (Service No 1457), was killed at Lone Pine.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, CURRAN F