The AIF Project

Frederick Rowland FAIR

Regimental number4484
Place of birthShepparton Victoria
ReligionMethodist
OccupationTelegraphist
Address400 Burnley Street, Richmond, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 5"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs N Fair, 400 Burnley Street, Richmond, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date26 July 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll19 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 January 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll58th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 14), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
165
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 28 January 1916; disembarked Suez, 28 February 1916.

Taken on strength of 58th Bn from 2nd Training Bn, 1 April 1916, and reverted to the rank of Private.

Promoted Lance Corporal, 11 May 1916.

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

Killed in action, 19 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 1030610, 4532 Pte A.A. KING, C Company, 58th Bn (patient, No 1 Canadnaian General Hospital, Etaples), 8 March 1917: 'I saw him being carried down on a stretcher at Sailley (sic) with both his feet tied up. He was alive, but seemed very bad. I saw no more of him.'

Second statement, 4467 Pte H. COLWELL, C Company, 58th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 19 March 1917: 'He was in my Coy, C. but I am not certain which Plt. [H]e was L/Cpl in our fatigue party the day of the attack on Armentieres July 19th. I was alongside him when he was killed, he was sniped through the head, he died instantaneously. We were making the attack and were halfway across No Man's Land when he got hit. I had to leave him where he fell and advance. Directly after i was wounded myself so can say no more for certain. His body was so far out I doubt if it was recovered.'

Third statement, 2620 Pte J. DOBELL, 58th Bn (patient, No 1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen), 28 April 1917: 'He was killed in No Man's Land by a bullet which I witnessed. He was buried near Fleurbaix in Rifle Villa Cemetery and a cross was erected, which I have seen.'

Fourth statement, 4467 Pte H. COLWELL, C Company, 58th Bn (patient, Tooting Grove Military Hospital, England), 30 April 1917: 'Fair was sniped. He was shot through the head and killed outright. He did not speak again.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, FAIR Frederick Rowland
Red Cross file 1030610

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