Frank Vincent Tuxworth

Frank Tuxworth (Service No 2227) was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1892 and his family moved to Wollongong, N.S.W. some time after.

When Frank enlisted he was single, 23 years old, lived in Wollongong and was employed as an engineer.  Frank had served previously in the Cadets.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A8 Argyllshire with 4th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion on 30th September 1915.  After a short stop over in Egypy, Frank arrived in France on 26th March 1916.

On 1st October 1916 he was admitted to hospital sick with gastritis and transferred from France to a hospital in England.

Frank was promoted to Lance Corporal on 11th June 1917, and on 7th May 1918 received a further promotion, to Sergeant.

On 11th October 1918 he was transferred to 17th Battalion.  Frank was hospitalised with influenza on 1st November 1918, but was back with his unit on 9th November.

Frank served with distinction on the Western Front and was awarded both a Distinguished Conduct Medal & the Belgian Croix de Guerre:

On 12 July 1918 the London Gazette recorded the awarding of the Belgian Croix de Guerre to Lance Corporal Frank Tuxworth.  This award appeared in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 27th November 1918.

The citation for the recommendation of the Belgian Cruix de Guerre award, dated 21/12/1917 reads:

"This N.C.O. was in charge of the battalion observers and Intelligence Section durint the recont fighing in FLANDERS, his officers having been wounded in the early stages.  His services were invaluable to Bn. H.Q.  He constantly visited the O.P.'s moving about under the heaviest barrages and obtaining valuable information.  He worked continuously for very long periods under the most trying and exposed conditions.  His constant and fearless and cheerful attitude and his alertness in the execution of his duty, was a splended example to those working under his charge."

On 12 March 1919 the London Gazette recorded the awarding of the Distinguised Conduct medal to Sergeant Frank Tuxworth.  This award appeared the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 19 February 1920.

The citation for the recommendation of the Distinguised Conduct Medal award, dated 14/10/1918 reads:  

"During the attack on the BEAUREVOIR Line, North of St Quentin, on 3rd October 1918, the N.C.O. displayed conspicuous gallantry in dealing with enemy opposition.

While the attack was held up on the right, this N.C.O. worked his way up the trench system from the left and located an enemy machine gun post in the trench, which was still firing and causing considerable trouble to the main attacking party.

He immediately bombed the post, and the surprise caused by his accurate bombing, have scattered the enemy, he rushed the post, eight prisoners and two machine guns captured.

The removal of this dangerous obstacle ???? our right flank to move forward and complete the work of mopping up and consolidating.

Throughout the attack Sergeant Tuxworth showed a fine spirit of courage and determination, his absolute disregard for personal safety proving a great incentive to the men."

Frank was repatriated to Australia in July 1919 and discharged medically unfit "dilated action of heart" on 8th March 1920.

In 1922 Frank married Irene Anderson but she died 2 years later.  Frank married a second time, in 1927, to Lydia Gray and together they had 2 children.

Frank died in Wollongong in 1953 and is buried in Wollongong Cemetery.