Frederick SHANKS

Regimental number7545
Place of birthBundamba, Queensland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationMiner
AddressBundamba, Queensland
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation27
Height5' 4"
Weight133 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Ruth Jessica Shanks, c/o Mrs E Robinson, Saniford Road, PO Enoggera, Queensland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date4 November 1915
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name9th Battalion, 25th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/26/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 14 June 1917
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll15th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 1 November 1919
Discharge date16 January 1920
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 14 June 1917; disembarked Durban, South Africa, 11 July 1917 (absent without leave).

Found guilty, Durban, of (1) neglecting to obey an order; (2) being absent without leave from 3 pm, 12 July, to 5 pm, 24 July 1917: awarded 168 hours' detention, and 7 days confined to barracks, and forfeiture of a total of 24 days' pay.

Re-embarked Durban, 13 July 1917, on board HMAT 'Suevic'; transshipped at Cape Town to HMAT 'Hororata', 25 July 1917; disembarked Liverpool, England, 26 August 1917, and marched in to 3rd Training Bn, Durrington.

Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 19 December 1917 (balanitis); discharged to duty, 22 December 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 January 1918; taken on strength, 15th Bn, in the field, 29 January 1918.

Admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance, 1 March 1918 (balanitis); transferred to No 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 2 March 1918; to 39th General Hospital, Havre, 6 March 1918; to Base Depot, Havre, 12 March 1918. Re-admitted to 39th General Hospital, 4 April 1918 (balanitis); transferred to Base Depot, 13 April 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 27 April 1918.

Wounded in action, 25 August 1918 (gas), admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred same day to 55th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 11, 26 August 1918, and transferred to 3rd General Hospital, Le Treport, 27 August 1918; to England, 1 September 1918, and admitted to Exeter War Hospital, 2 September 1918 (wound: severe); discharged on furlough, 3 October 1918, to report to Littlemoor Camp, 18 October 1918.

Court of Inquiry, AIF Headquarters, London, 2 December 1918, ruled that he was illegally absent from 18 October, and that he was still absent.

Tried by District Court Martial, 16 December 1918, on charge of when on Active Service failing to report to Army Headquarters as it was his duty to do, and remaining absent until apprehended by Military Police in Glasgow on 7 December 1918: awarded 90 days' detention, and forfeiture of pay.

Admitted to Lewes Detention Barracks, 20 December 1918; 22 days remitted as from 21 February 1919; discharged from Detention Barracks, 21 February 1919, and marched in to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny.

Found guilty, 10 July 1919, of being absent without leave from 0700, 28 June, to 0800, 9 July 1919: awarded 12 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeiture of pay.

Found guilty, 13 October 1919, of being absent without leave, Sutton Veny, from 0900, 25 September, to 1400, 11 October 1919: awarded forfeiture of 28 days' pay; total forfeiture: 45 days' pay.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Nestor', 1 November 1919; absent without leave, Adelaide, 13 December 1919 (failed to re-embark); disembarked Melbourne, 15 December 1919, for onward travel to Brisbane; discharged, Brisbane, 16 January 1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, SHANKS Frederick