SAPPER ERNEST BARRETT FRY
380 – 1st Tunnelling Company / Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Crow’s Nest, Sydney, New South Wales was the birthplace of Ernest Barrett Mayburn Fry in 1897 the son of Eric Mayburn Fry, an accountant and his wife Martha, and was registered at St Leonards, Sydney. Military experience was gained with the 18th Infantry and was still serving.
At Casula camp at Liverpool, near Sydney, NSW on February 5, 1916 the nineteen year old motor driver and mechanic applied to enlist for active service abroad. Being under the required age of twenty-one years his parents would have had to give their written consent. Passing the medical examination his description on enlistment in Attestation Papers dated February 9, 1916 was 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighing 53.1kgs (117lbs) with a chest expansion of 76-84cms (30-33ins). Fresh was his complexion with hazel eyes and had light brown hair. Methodist was his religious faith. A medical note stated he had no previous illness. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Martha Fry of Penshurst Street, Willoughby. He was sworn in the same day.
He was assigned to the No. 1 Company of the Mining Corps in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 380 which was in its closing stages of establishment.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.
The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.
A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.
Sapper Fry was assigned to the 1st Tunnelling Company. On June 14, 1916 he was to be Temporary Motor Transport Driver until he reverted to Sapper on August 2.
Ernest’s civil qualifications in mechanics were of great benefit to the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company therefore was transferred and taken on strength for duty on September 30, 1916.
Temporary Motor Transport Driver was again undertaken from October 1, 1916 until reverting to the rank of Sapper on November 19, 1916. The same day he went to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station for treatment of an injury to his right foot and rejoined his unit on December 8, 1916.
He was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months abroad.
In an audit of the company he was noted to be still with his unit on May 21, 1918.
Disciplinary action was taken by the Commanding Officer on June 1, 1918 for the following:
Crime:W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] (1) Not complying with an
Order given by a superior officer 31/5/18
(2) Breaking camp contravention of standing orders of 8/5/18
Award:7 days F.P. No. 2 [Field Punishment]
Sergeant E.G. ‘Hughie’ Dodd of the same Company kept a diary of his activities during service and mentions Sapper Fry several times in his entries:
1918
July 24
Fry and myself went out this morning. On the way down, seen a building knocked down and several carcasses of horses that had been killed by a bomb at five. Morgan and Page did not go back 'till tonight.
July 26
The SM gave me a wire, stating Morgan and Woolfe were to be picked up the following day. Sent up for them. Fry and myself went out tonight and sapped some Pomme-Au-Terre. When I got home Morgan had come down without Woolfe. [Pomme-Au-Terre – good old fashioned Australian spuds].
August 12
Went to Maisnel today. Fry went out yesterday. McLean came out with me. Had to report to Verquin to be picked up by our Bose car.
August 14
Fry and myself went to Bruay, today had a look at an aerodrome. Seen a 'plane come down and smash herself up. Johnny over bombing again tonight. Dropped one in the camp. No one wounded but one lad shell-shocked.
August 17
Started to take Austin down this morning. Piper came out this afternoon. Fry to go on leave on Monday. Working all day. This engine is very dirty. Big End No. 2 cylinder very slack.
August 19
Fry went out this morning. No petrol came up last night and tonight. The push party have been sent back to their batts. There has been a big strafe on the left. The news came through today that we had pushed at Outtershank and taken 400 prisoners. Also that we have pushed at Merville.
Sapper proceeded on leave to the United Kingdom on August 22 and while there the following occurred:
Crime:Whilst on leave in London 23/8/18 – Drunkenness
Award:Admonished by Lt-Col H. Paul 24/8/18
He returned to his unit on September 5, 1918. Further entries from the Dodd Diary state:
1918
September 14
Aster run a big end tonight. Sent to Assinghem for another. Fry took it out.
September 16
Fry came back this morning.
September 29
Page and myself went to Barts. Fry went out to Maisnel. McLean on driving. Woolfe crook.
October 14
Chrissen and Woolfe went out this morning for a few days. Luke Olsen came just after they had left. Fry and Chrissen to go in. Changed him a Burbury for another coat.
On October 19, 1918 he was attached to the 3rd Squadron, Australian Flying Corps for rations and was there when Peace was declared. On November 29, 1918 he ceased to be attached.
The Company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supply assisting those rehabilitating their areas.
Orders were received to report to the Aust Base Depot for demobilisation for England and on April 29, 1919 they left France and crossed the English Channel marching in to the Royal Brigade Aust Artillery camp at Heytesbury to await their voyage home.
Sergeant Hughie Dodd mentions their activities on the day of departure:
1919
June 16
Bill Davies, Lieut. Norfolk, with about 40 men of the Coy marched out with 37 Quota at 6 this morning for Devonport, sailing at 4 o'clock this afternoon by the Ormonde.
His address was recorded in the back of the diary as:
Ernest B. Fry, "Mayburn", Penhurst St, Willoughby, Sydney, N.SW.
Sapper Fry departed England on June 16, 1919 on the H.T. Ormonde for Australia. Base Records advised his mother on July 16, 1919 that he was en route to Australia. The ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August 4, 1919. Their arrival was covered by the:
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on September 26, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.
Sapper 380 Ernest Barrett Fry, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (33176) and the Victory Medal (32761) for service for his country.
He married in 1920 to Vera Mona Florence Wray and their marriage was registered at St Leonard’s, Sydney.
In 1930 they were residing at 30 Lea Avenue, Willoughby and he was a car proprietor. The same year the following notices were published in the:
In 1933 he was a motor operator and their residence was 3 Lawn Court Flats, Willoughby Road, Naremburn. In 1936 they were at 1 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby and he was a motor driver and the following year they were located at 7 Crabbes Avenue, Willoughby and his occupation was messenger.
They were living at 4 Lawn Court Flats, Willoughby Road, Naremburn in 1943 and he was a public servant. From 1949 to 1954 they are recorded at 439 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge and in 1958 to 1963 were residing at 11a Edmund Street, Chatswood and still a public servant.
Ernest Barrett Fry died on November 12, 1963 aged 66 years. Cremation was at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium two days later and on December 2, 1963 his ashes were scattered in the Memorial Rose Garden. There is no memorial plaque.
REUNIONS
Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:
1928FRY, E.Lea Avenue, WilloughbyChanged to No. 7 Flat Strathalbyne Hall,
Junction Road, Hanson Street, Summerville
Changed to c/o A. Hordern & Son, Garage
Dawson Street, Camperdown
1934FRY, E.B.1 Crabbe Street, WilloughbyChanged to 4 Lawncourt Flats, Willoughby Road
Naremburn
Changed to 439 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge
1960-68FRY, E.B.11a Edmund St, Chatswood Notation: Reported deceased Reveille Jan 1964
on 12/11/63.
© Donna Baldey 2013