Hornsby, NSW
7004
13th Battalion, 60th Battalion
Gilgandra Coo-ee
Died of Disease 23.8.1916
Private Frank Humphrey 1887
Frank was a 33 year old bricklayer from Albert St Hornsby NSW when he enlisted in Gilgandra on October 1915. The medical examination described him as 5’ 4” tall, weight 136lbs (61kgs), dark complexion, greenish eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England. He stated his previous service was seven months with Roystons Horse in South Africa during the Zulu Rebellion.
He marched to Sydney with the Coo-ees and trained at Liverpool Camp with the 13th Battalion. However he was discharged on January 4 1916 after being absent without leave for the second time. He re-enlisted on February 11 1916 at Wangaratta, Victoria with the 60th Battalion. His next of kin was his mother, Matilda Johnstone, 31 Thorsley St, Princess Avenue, Hull, England. On May 1, 1916 he embarked for Egypt from Melbourne aboard the Port Lincoln, arriving on June 10. He was admitted to the No 2 Australian General Hospital with an illness, leaving a week later for France aboard the transport Franconia.
After arriving in Le Havre, France, Frank was admitted to the Canadian General Hospital and died of disease on August 23, 1916.
The only active service seen by Frank was in South Africa. He is buried in the Ste. Marie Cemetery Le Havre. His mother received his Victory Medal, the British Medal and the Memorial Scroll
He is commemorated on the Gilgandra Cooee Gateway Memorial
Frank Humphrey’s headstone at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France (Photograph: H. Thompson 2/9/2014)
