Frederick Leslie SAINTY

Regimental number2426
Place of birthNewtown, Sydney, New South Wales
SchoolFort Street Public School and Technical High School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationEngineer
Address'Maniko', Miller Street, Haberfield, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 9"
Weight136 lbs
Next of kinFather, J S Sainty, 'Maniko', Miller Street, Haberfield, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed in the 31st Infantry, Citizen Military Forces.
Enlistment date16 September 1915
Place of enlistmentSydney, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit name1st Field Company Engineers, Reinforcement 12
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/20/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT RMS Mooltan on 11 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Field Company Engineers
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularHe was the youngest of a family of 12. A good pianist and very popular. He was a great reader, particularly of historical works. (details from mother)
FateKilled in Action 20 July 1916
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)Final unit incorrectly listed on Nominal Roll as 1st Field Company Engineers: see NAA file pp. 16, 17.
Place of death or woundingArmentieres, France
Age at death18.7
Age at death from cemetery records18
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 1), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
24
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James Sier and Louisa Sainty, Cambridge Road, Canley Vale, New South Wales. Native of Sydney
Family/military connectionsCousin: 5702 Pte Walter Leonard GREGORY, 1st Bn, killed in action, 11 March 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 14th Field Company Engineers, Tel el Kebir, 18 March 1916.

Sick to hospital, 2 April 1916; rejoined unit, Ferry Post, 11 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 20 July 1916.

Note, Red Cross File No 2400504: 'No trace Germany[.] Cert. by Capt Mills 10-10-19.'

Statement, 2436 Sapper R.C. SWEENEY, 14th Field Company Engineers, 8 January 1917: 'He was killed by machine gun bullet on the date reported. Several of his mates saw his body including some who had been tent mates with him from March unil the date of his death. Some letters and a photo were also taken from his pockets and forwarded to his people.'

Second statement by SWEENEY, 1 February 1917: The only information I can get here is that he was either not buried, or else was buried as an unknown soldier. On the date he was killed we were in a big raid and had a god many killed and wounded and in some instances the dead had to be left so that the wounded could be brought in. Your inquiry places me in an awkward position as I have told his people that he was buried near a place called Fromelles. that was where he was killed. I did that for their peace of mind.'

Third statement, 5022 Sapper A. SARFATY, 14th Field Company Engineers, 15 February 1917: 'We were in action on the Fromelles front on the night of 19th July. We went over with the 3rd wave. Sainty was killed by shell in the support line before went over. I believe his body was buried either at Fleurbaix or Baestmair but cannot be certain.'

Fourth statement, 3747 Lance Corporal G.M. BYWATER, 14th Field Company Engineers, 5 February 1917: 'Sapper Sainty was very popular in the company, some time previous to the 19th July he had been entrusted with the important duty of despatch carrying, also about a week before the fight he had the offer of a position, which would have kept him away from from the fighting, also which carried two stripes. Thinking as a young sldier it was his duty to go through the fight with his comrades he stayed. Ofthesmall party Sapper Sainty was in, al except one were killed or wounded. I couldn't say for a fact, where our comrade was buried; but I think it as at Sailly close to Estaires.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, SAINTY Frederick Leslie
Red Cross File No 2400504