Frazer Paterson Henderson

Personal Information
Date of Birth	Not known
Place of Birth	Charters Towers, Queensland
Death	4 Dec 1963, aged 69
Place of Death	Leederville, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 2 months
Description	5'9¼" (1.76m) tall; weight 148 lbs (67.1 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair
Occupation	carpenter
Religion	Church of Christ
Address	c/- Post Office, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr David Henderson
Military Information
Reg Number	6143
Date of Enlistment	19 Oct 1915
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	3rd Field Company Engineers, 13th Reinforcement, later transferred to 15th Field Company
Date of Embarkation	20 Jan 1916 - 27 Feb 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A54 Runic
Date of Return	2 Jan 1919 - 8 Feb 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Karmala
Fate	Wounded in Action 20 Jul 1916 at Fromelles Wounded in Action 18 Aug 1916 at Mouquet Farm Returned to Australia
Monument	Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel)
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Within a month of entering camp, Frazer was reallocated from infantry reinforcements to Engineering reinforcements. Promoted Acting Corporal for the voyage to Alexandria.

In Egypt he was taken on strength of the 15th Field Company Engineers at Tel-el-Kebiron 18 Mar 1916, before spending a few days in hospital. Left Alexandria 18 Jun 1916 and entered France via Marseilles on 29 Jun 1916 aboard the HMT Kinsfauns Castle.

Wounded in Action on 20 Jul 1916 at Fromelles with wounds to his left leg. His Field Company were busy repairing communication trenches near the Sugarloaf Salient. Treated by 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the same day he was admitted to 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, returning to an active unit on 15 Aug 1916 after a period in convalescent areas.

On returning to active duty he was transferred to 1st Field Company, joining them at Albert as they were moving to the front lines at La Boiselle between Albert and Pozieres. Wounded a second time almost immediately (18Aug 1916) with gunshot wounds to his arm, leg and back as his company fought to keep communication and front line trenches fit for use. Treated by the 12th South Midland Field Ambulance, he passed through a Casualty Clearing Station and was admitted to hospital in France.

Recovered, he was sent back to the 15th Field Company, where on 1 Nov 1916 he was mustered as a Driver. On Christmas Day 1916 he reported to hospital sick with a septic foot. Discharged from hospital on 5 Jan 1917 he returned to his unit. On 25 Jun 1917 he was charged with failing to carry out the duties allocated to him at a grooming (horse) parade, for which he was awarded 7 days field punishment. In Sep 1917 he enjoyed a period of furlough in England, and again in Aug 1918.

As a result of his second leave he was required to enter the Bulford Military Hospital with VD before being released 84 days later on 28 Nov 1918.

Discharged 5th Military District 14 Apr 1919 with debility.

"...went in January, 1916 with the 15th Division of Engineers to Egypt, thence to France where he was twice wounded - last time near Armentiès. Back in firing line."

The newspapers of the day report Frazer is listed in the 194th Casualty List as wounded.

Post War

1920 married Hilda Annie Day in Perth. Hilda died 22 Oct 1979 aged 84.

Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 at 441 Bagot road; Subiaco, carpenter; 1931 Piccadilly street, Kalgoorlie; 1936 - 37 at 6 Richardson terrace, Daglish; 1943-63 at 6 Argyle street, Leederville

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial