Frank Mettam

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 04/07/2017 - 13:24

First Name:

Frank

Last Name:

Mettam

Date of Birth:

Sunday, January 6, 1895

Mother's Name:

Mary Mettam nee Halpin

Father's Name:

Alfred Mettam

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, July 20, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Sergeant

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

Field Artillery Brigade

Service:

Artillery

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, August 9, 1975

Place of Death:

Perth

Details:

Frank Mettam (Service No 8541), was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.

At enliistment, he was single, 20 years old, worked as a linotype operator with a West Australian newspaper, and had served with the 37th Artillery Militia.

Frank embarked on HMAT A34 Persic, from Melbourne, as a Sergeant, with Field Artillery Brigade 6, Ammunition Column, on 22nd November 1915. He arrived in Egypt, on 21st December 1915, and reverted to the rank of corporal, at his own request, on 1st February 1916. Frank arrived in France, on 23rd March 1916, and saw service on the Western Front. He was promoted to Sergeant, again, on 11th June 1916.

On 25th August 1916, Frank was wounded in action, on the Somme, France, and evacuated to hospital, for treatment of severe gun shot wounds to his left leg. He was repatriated to Australia in October 1916, and discharged medically unfit, with a pension, on 7th June 1917.

On 21st June 1920, Frank married Jane Portener, in Perth, W.A. The couple had 3 children and Frank returned to work in the newspaper industry.

Frank's brother, George Mettam (Service No 30453), also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, METTAM FRANK