The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 4 September 1915. Reverted to the ranks, 7 September 1915.

Admitted to 7th Field Ambulance, 22 November 1915 (rheumatism); transferred 13th Casualty Clearing Station, 22 November 1915; to Mudros, 22 November 1915; to HS 'Gloucester Castle', 24 November 1915; to Malta, and admitted to St Andrew's Hospital, 29 November 1915 (typhoid/enteric). Embarked Malta, 16 January 1916; disembarked Alexandria, 21 January 1916, and admitted to No 1 Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis (enteric). Transferred to No 2 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 2 February 1916.

Commenced return to Australia from Suez on board HT 'Nestor', 9 February 1916; disembarked Melbourne, 13 March 1916.

Admitted to 6th Australian General Hospital, Brisbane, 17 March 1916.

Examined by Medical Board, 8 April 1916, which recommended his return to duty. Granted 14 days' leave 11-25 April 1916; failed to report at the expiration of that leave.

Posted as a deserter, 25 April 1916.

Discharged in consequence of desertion, 21 July 1920, having been illegally absent from 25 April 1916 to 21 July 1920.

Automatically forfeited eleigibility for war medals.

Solictor, C.P. White, wrote to Base Records, Melbourne, 9 September 1921: 'The above soldier has been seen with reference to his desertion from the A.I.F. in 1916 and informs me that soon after being invalided back to Australia on the "Ascanius" in about June 1916 suffering from Enteric and Dysentery contracted while fighting at Gallipoli, he was ordered back for service in the lines again. He states that the reason for his desertion was that he considered a return to the lines would be extremely detrimental to his already dangerous state of health. I should further point out by way of corroboration that he still requires the aid of a stick to walk and has been under medical attention on and off since the date of his desertion. He now desires to know whether, should he report himself, he will be granted a pardon and also whether he would collect any of his deferred pay which was due to him at the time of his desertion. The amount of such he estimates at a little over £40. He further wishes to know if he can obtain his gratuity.' Base Records replied, 7 December 1921: '... Mr Franks was, in common with all other members of the A.I.F. who were absent without leave discharged from that Force by order of the Governor General dated 21/7/20. He is consequently not now a member of the A.I.F. A pardon cannot be granted but it is not proposed to take any disciplinary action in cases of this nature ... No deferred pay is available for collection as Mr Franks' account is in deficit. Consideration wil be given to the question of payment of war gratuity on receipt of an application on the approved form.'

Solictor wrote to Mrs Pearson (mother), London, England, 5 April 1922: 'Your son's address is Len Courtney Esq., 49, Crown Street, Surrey Hills [New South Wales]'.