SAPPER FREDERICK FRANCIS DEAKIN
18226 - Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies
Birmingham, England was the birthplace of Frederick Francis Deakin about 1873. He came to Australia and in 1914 married Kate Frances Phelan in Queensland. In 1908 he was a miner working at Burketown, Qld.
At the Recruiting Depot Townsville on March 9, 1917 the forty-four year old applied to enlist for service abroad. He passed the medical examination where personal particulars of the married man show he was 178cms (5ft 10ins) with a chest expansion of (36-39ins). His address was Post Office, Townsville. Declared fit for active service the recruiting officer accepted his application.
Attestation forms were signed the same day which add more information about him. Fair was his complexion with blue eyes and brown hair and his eyes tested to good vision. Weight was 72.7kgs (160lbs) and Church of England his faith. Next-of-kin was given as his wife Mrs Kate Frances Deakin of McIlwraith Street, South Townsville. They had four children. He took the “Oath of Allegiance” and was sworn in.
On entering the training camp at Enoggera, Brisbane on March 12, 1917 he was assigned the regimental number 18226. He signed, under protest, to allot his wife 20cents (2/-) per day of his pay to support her and his children. Her address was 128 Harcourt Street, New Farm, Brisbane. He was found to be Dentally Fit and also signed a Statutory Declaration as follows:
Basic training commenced on March 16 when Private Deakin was allocated to the Engineers’ Depot until March 26, 1917. To further his training he went to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) and while there applied for final Home Leave to Warwick which was granted from April 19 until April 25, 1917. Training continued until a transfer to the Miners’ Training Camp at Seymour, Vic on May 5, 1917 was issued and placed with the ‘B Company’ Tunnelling Reinforcements.
His training card lists the following details:
1st Week31 3/7 hours completed
2nd Week26½ hours – No Syllabus carried out.
3rd Week13/5/17 to Miners’ Reinforcements
4th Week20/5/17 An honest work lackened? in drill work but attentive
On May 29, 1917 a Warrant was issued for his arrest.
Proceedings of a Board assembled at the Technical Battalion at Seymour on June 13, 1917 inquired into the case of alleged Absence without Leave of No. 18226 Sapper Frederick Francis Deakin of ‘B Coy’ Tunnelling Reinforcements at Seymour Camp.
Evidence was given by Sergeant Major Wallace of ‘B Company’ in his sworn statement duly stated:
“I am Sergt Major of ‘B Coy’ Tunnelling Reinforcements, Seymour Camp I have examined the Company Rolls and find that No. 18226 Sap. DEAKIN, Frederick Francis, has been marked absent from 21/5/1917 to present date and is still absent.”
Total value of Deficiencies in his Kit amounted to $15.25 (£7-12-7).
The Board declared that he had absented himself without leave since 21/3/17 (a period of 24 days) to the present date and was still absent.
The Board recommended that Sapper No. 18226 DEAKIN, Frederick Francis be struck off strength as a Deserter and the unexpired value of all Deficiencies in his Kit be charged against him. A list of his Kit to the above value was tabled to the Board.
On June 20, 1917 a letter from Seymour to the Receiving Depot, Sturt Street, Townsville forwarded copies of Attestation and Proceedings from the Board of Inquiry advising them of those Struck off Strength as of June 13, 1917.
No medals were issued to those who desert the A.I.F.
In 1919 his address was listed as care of Mrs Muir, McIlwraith Street, South Townsville, Qld
© Donna Baldey 2010