On the 3rd. December 1919, Frank Gardiner Barratt from Warwick received a communication from the Base Records Office, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, that he had been awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his recent service with the 31st Battalion in World War 1. This is how it read:
I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder a copy of extract from Eighth Supplement, No. 31448 to the “London Gazette” dated 11th July 1919 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force.
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES.
The following is a continuation of Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatch of 16th March,1919,
Submitting names deserving of special mention:
No. 3516 Corporal F. G. Barratt
The above has been promulgated in “Commonwealth of Australia Gazette,” No. 124,
Dated 30th October 1919.
Signed Major,
Officer i/c Base Records.
This wonderful and welcome news was about the service of a young man who had survived the terrible conditions that faced the young Anzacs who, before enlisting, were caught up in the hype and fervor of the period, when the catch cry was; “Australia will be there!” Here is Frank’s story.
Frank Barratt was born on the 19th. June 1893, at Whetstone Station near Inglewood, in the Goondiwindi region of Queensland. He was the second son of Patrick and Elizabeth Barrett. Frank’s father worked for the Rabbit Board in Warwick where Frank grew up, but it is not clear where Frank received his early education. However, on leaving school Frank became an engine driver with the Queensland Railways until 1916 when he decided to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force on 3rd February in Warwick. After induction training Frank was posted to 31st Battalion and placed on standby for deployment to the battle fields of France at the young age of 22 years. On the 19th. August 1916, Frank embarked for overseas service on board the A42 troopship HMAT “Boogara” bound for Plymouth, England.
In England, Frank spent a period in hospital before being sent to the Army’s Bombing School for training as a Bomb Thrower on 13th July 1917, before going on a period of leave in France. After his period of leave was up Frank was sent to the Western Front where he was wounded in action on 1st. November 1918 but stayed at his post. Sent back to England, Frank spent a period on convalescence at Perham Downs Hospital and further leave in Paris. Frank was eventually sent back to Australia on board the transport ship SS “Friedrichsruh”, arriving home on 21st October 1919.
Frank Gardiner faced the horrors of trench warfare as his record shows that he was a combat infantryman with the 31st Battalion and saw action. Still only 24 years of age after his World War 1 experience, he took up employment as a Store Man with a discharge address given as “Drumburle” Station, via Gladstone, Queensland. He married Coralie Hunter of Bundaberg on 8th.June 1928 and was living in Maryborough when World War 2 broke out in 1938. He must have worn his WW 1 medals to the recruiting depot in Maryborough with the small shiny oak leaf on his Victory Medal indicating his Mention in Dispatches award, as he was quickly enlisted again into the uniform of the Australian army with the Volunteer Defence Corps at the age of 48.
With the threat of a militant Japan on our doorstep, Frank realized that he was too old for combat duties but as a true patriot he felt he had something to offer with his previous military record. On 15th January 1942, Frank enlisted in the 11th Battalion of the Maryborough Volunteer Defence Corps and reported for duty on the 26th. January 1942 and soon showed his leadership qualities when he was promoted to corporal on 5th February 1942. On 29th July, Frank reported sick with a heavy cold and spent time in the Station Sick Quarters at RAAF base Maryborough. At this stage it became obvious that Frank was very unwell. He was transferred to the 11th Battalion RAAF Hospital on 30th October but recovered enough to return to duty. He was promoted to Sergeant on 20th February 1943, and was sent to undertake a weapons training course at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane. On the 3rd. March Frank was well enough to qualify for a Warrant Officer (VDC) promotion, but on 23rd March Frank had a relapse of his previous illness and was evacuated to the 2/4th Australian General Hospital until 5th April. A couple of weeks later Frank became seriously ill and was evacuated to 112 Brisbane Military Hospital diagnosed with acute myelitis (a severe inflammation of the spinal cord). Sadly, Frank passed away on 10th May 1944 aged 51 and now lies at rest in Brisbane’s Military cemetery at Lutwyche among other heroes of Australia’s military history. His headstone is engraved with the following epitaph: “HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE” and further remembered and honored on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honor, the Roll of Honor on the Banana War Memorial, and the Shire of Banana Roll of Honor.
