The AIF Project

Frank Searle HIGHAM

Regimental number2625
Place of birthTruro, Cornwall, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationVeterinary surgeon
AddressTumby Bay, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation41
Height5' 5"
Weight115 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Lily Higham, Tumby Bay, South Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the Prince of Wales Volunteers; time expired.
Enlistment date9 February 1916
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 13 February 1917
Discharge date18 June 1917
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 32nd Bn, Ferry Post, 24 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Admitted to 4th Field Ambulance, 10 July 1916 (rheumatism); transferred to 8th Field Ambulance, 12 July 1916; to 8th Casualty Clearing Station, 18 July 1916 (myalgia); to Ambulance Train, 19 July 1916, and admitted to 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 19 July 1916; transferred to England, 22 July 1916, and admitted to War Hospital, Silver Street, Edmonton, London (myalgia: slight); transferred to Ewen Hall, Wood Street, Barnet, 3 August 1916 (rheumatism); to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 31 August 1916; to Delhi Hospital, Perham Downs, 26 September 1916 (myocarditis); discharged on furlough, 26 September 1916; admitted to 3rd Auxiliary hospital, Dartford (date not recorded); marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 8 December 1916.

Medical examination, 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 17 November 1916, noted: 'Causation of the diability: Rigours, hardship & trying conditions of active service, operating on an older man.' 'Age last birthday' stated to be 51.

Commenced return to Australia from Plymouth on board HT 'Ulysses' for discharge (myalgia, old age, physical weakness), 13 February 1917; discharged (medically unfit), Adelaide, 18 June 1917.

War service: 1 year 130 days (of which 1 year 18 days was abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death3 April 1919
SourcesNAA: B2455, HIGHAM Frank Searle

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