Name: Francis Albert Douglas
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Birth Date: 1882 |
Where: South Australia |
Died: |
Where: |
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Queensland |
Age: 33 |
Serial Number: 611 |
Battalion: 26th |
Rank on Enlistment: Corporal |
Rank on Discharge/Death: Company Sergeant Major |
Awards: 1914 - 15 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 1920, Victory Medal, Military Medal
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Photograph  |
Service Details:
27 April |
1915 Enlisted |
6 June |
1915 Embarked Australia |
August |
1915 Embarked Egypt |
10 Sept. – 12 Dec. |
1915 Gallipoli |
21 March |
1916 France |
6/7 June |
1916 Trench Raid |
29 July – 27 Aug. |
1916 Pozieres (Sausage Valley) |
4 August |
1916 Pozieres |
6 September |
1916 Belgium |
October |
1916 Ypres and Dernacourt |
3 November |
1916 Battle of Ancres Heights & Fricourt |
25 January |
1917 Promoted Sergeant |
February |
1917 Warlencourt |
March |
1917 Attack on Malt Trench |
26 March |
1917 Wounded |
20 September |
1917 Promoted CSM |
28 November |
1917 Rejoined Battalion |
December |
1917 Red Lodge |
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12 January |
1918 Appointed Warrant Office Class II |
8 March |
1918 No.2 Officer Cadet School, Cambridge |
26 August |
1918 Rejoined Battalion |
2 September |
1918 Wounded |
11 November |
1918 Armistice |
23 March |
1919 Returned to Australia |
3 July |
1919 Discharged |
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Biographical Details:
Francis Albert Douglas was born to Robert and Mary Nugent in Norwood, South Australia in 1883. He was the eldest boy in a family of three girls and two boys.
When he enlisted in 1915 he gave his occupation as well borer. He also listed Nellie Neal of NSW as Next of Kin although he described her as “no relation”. For the June Trench Raid Francis was list as a Spare Man . He would have been eligible to receive the Special Leave but the day following the raid he was hospitalised with jaundice. He was transferred to England and remained there until November. At thirty two years of age Francis was much older than most of his fellows and quickly moved through the non-commissioned ranks before, in 1918, attending an Officer Cadet School and being appointed a Warrant Officer. Francis was wounded twice – the first occasion during the attack on Malt Trench where he also earned a recommendation for a Military Medal (MM). Fo r bravery and devotion to duty during the attack on Malt Trench North of Warlencourt. There is no record of this ever being conferred although two others who were recommended at the same time did receive the MM. Francis received a GSW to his right eye in September 1918. He was transferred to England and did not return to France. Francis returned to Australia in January1919 and was discharged six months later. There is no record of him ever marrying. He died in Brisbane in 1950. An article published in a SA newspaper mentioned that police sought a daughter who was reputed to be living in Mt Gambier SA.32 Given his age on enlistment (32) Francis could have had a family before he left SA although there are no children registered to his name there. |