SAPPER FRANK HALLIDAY
6626 - 3rd Tunnelling Company
In the mining town of Mount Morgan, Queensland on April 20, 1890 Frank Halliday was born the son of Frank Alexander and Maria (nee Rodgers) Halliday. He became a Miner and was working at Baree, Mount Morgan in 1913.
A Rockhampton officer was recruiting in Mount Morgan and Frank applied to enlist on August 10, 1916. Details from the Application show the Baree resident was a single twenty-four year old standing 182cms (6ft ¾ins) tall. His chest measurement was noted to be 102cms (40ins). Passing the preliminary medical examination was declared fit for service and to report to Rockhampton, Qld at his earliest.
At the Central Queensland Central Recruiting Office in Rockhampton on September 4, 1916 he passed the final examination and forms of Attestation were completed. Further information shows he weighed 84.5kgs (186lbs) had brown hair and blue eyes and a fair complexion. Both eyes tested to good vision and religious denomination was Church of England. His mother Mrs Maria Halliday of Baree, Mount Morgan was first nominated as next-of-kin but later changed to his father Frank Alexander Halliday of the same address. He signed and took ‘The Oath of Allegiance’ on September 12, 1916.
The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Saturday September 16, 1916 gave acknowledgement to the latest group of volunteers leaving the district:
At the Enoggera camp, Brisbane on September 14, 1916 Private Halliday commenced his basic training with ‘E Company’ at the 11th Depot Battalion concluding on October 5 when he was transferred to the Miners’ camp 1st Military District. Dental fitness was documented that day. Final Home Leave was granted before travelling to the Miners’ training camp at Seymour, Vic for further instruction beginning on November 4, 1916 and placed with the Reinforcements until November 21. Several days training followed with the 7th Reinforcements to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion finishing three days later and returned to be placed with the January 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. Assigned the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 6626, all was in order for embarkation.
The Reinforcements consisting of 168 members departed Melbourne, Vic at 3 p.m. on January 17, 1917 on board the HMAT A5 RMS Omrah. The mail ship arrived at 8 a.m. two days later at Adelaide, S.A. and headed off at 4 p.m. that afternoon. It sailed into the West Australian port of Fremantle on January 21 and Day Leave was granted ashore for the Reinforcements before departure on January 24, 1917.
After farewelling the Australian coastline, the following day on January 25, 1917 this discipline was set:
Offence: At sea RMS Omrah 23/1/17 A.W.L. from 23/1/17 until 24/1/17
Award: Forfeits 2 days pay by Lt-Col E.W. Ralph.
Total forfeiture: 3 days pay.
The RMS Omrah returned to Fremantle at 7 a.m. on February 1 and again put out to sea at 5 p.m. the next afternoon February 2. Durban, South Africa was reached at 7 a.m. on February 16 and sailed at 6 p.m. the following evening. The next port of call was Cape Town on February 20 arriving at 8 a.m. where the Reinforcements went ashore on Day Leave to return at 11p.m. The vessel departed at 5 p.m. on February 24. The same day Sapper Halliday received punishment for the following:
Offence: At sea RMS Omrah 22/2/17 A.W.L. from 11 p.m. 22/2/17 until 11 p.m. 23/2/17
Award: 96 hours detention by Lt-Col E.W. Ralph. 24/2/17
Total forfeiture: 6 days pay.
The sights of Sierra Leone were seen closely on March 9, 1917 as the vessel docked at 8 a.m. and after refuelling left at 7 a.m. on March 12, 1917. The voyage concluded at Devonport, Eng on March 27, 1917 and the troops disembarked at Plymouth after 74 days at sea. The three officers and 165 other ranks were detrained to Tidworth. The Reinforcements marched into the Drafting Depot at Perham Down’s camp the same day.
On April 14, 1917 the Reinforcements proceeded to France via Folkstone and marched into the Aust. General Base Depot the next day. A week later on April 21 Sapper Halliday was detailed to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion.
He was admitted to the 35th Field Ambulance with symptoms of P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) unknown origin) then transferred to the 5th Divisional Rest Station – 8th Field Ambulance diagnosed with Influenza on April 27. Two days later he was sent to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station. On May 5 was conveyed on A.T.14 and admitted to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen with Gastritis remaining until May 9 when released to return to Base Details. On May 10, 1917 he was discharged to the 4th Infantry Base Depot and the next day arrived at the A.G.B.D. On May 23, 1917 he rejoined the 1st Anzac Entrenching Depot at Etaples.
He marched out to join the 3rd Tunnelling Company on June 12, 1917 and taken on strength three days later.
Further reprimand was given for the following on July 31, 1917:
Crime: Failing to report for fatigue duty after being warned on July 28, 1917.
Award: Forfeits 1 day’s pay.
On September 20, 1917 he went to hospital sick and admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance with N.Y.D. (not yet diagnosed) and the following day transferred to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station suffering from suspected Bronchial Pneumonia. On September 28 he was conveyed on A.T. to St John’s Ambulance, Etaples and admitted with Pneumonia.
He was transferred to England on October 3, 1917 on the hospital ship Jan Breydal then sent to the Norfolk War Hospital at Norwich until discharged after 32 days on furlough on November 5, 1917. Advice was sent to his father on October 22, 1917 notifying his son was in hospital as of October 4, 1917.
Further advice was sent to his parents on November 12, 1917 stating that Sapper Halliday had been admitted on October 29 to the 54th Casualty Clearing Station – gassed – classed as wounded – actual condition not stated.
He was to report on November 19 to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott and was medically classified with B1A1 disability.
On November 28 his parents were advised that on November 10 their son was transferred to the 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, Eng, gassed and suffering from Bronchitis, actual condition not stated. The current address where to write to him was also given.
A transfer from No. 3 Command Depot to No. 4 Command Depot occurred on December 5 arriving the same day. He spent Christmas here but the following marred the New Year occasion:
Offence: Hurdcott 2/1/18 Absent without Leave from 1/1/18 to 5.30 p.m. 7/1/18.
Award: 8 days F.P. No.2 [Field punishment] by Lt-Col D. Snow 21/1/18
In custody awaiting trial 4 days
Total Forfeiture: 18 days pay.
On March 6, 1918 he marched out to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge, Deverill and proceeded overseas via Southampton to France on March 15. The following day arrived at the A.G.B.D. at Rouelles and rejoined his unit on March 20, 1918.
Central Queensland soldiers on the Front were in contact with Mrs H.G. Wheeler working in London co-ordinating the Central Queensland Comfort Fund and each week sent report-letters naming those men she had been in contact with during the week. These were published in the Rockhampton newspapers to give relatives reliable news of their men abroad. Her address was care of the Agent-General, Queensland Office, London.
The following is an extract from her letters home published in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin in which she imparts news of Sapper Halliday:
Sapper Halliday was wounded in action in the field on October 28, 1918 exposed to mustard gas. The following is the extract from the Unit Diary of the 3rd Tunnelling Company for that incident:
He was taken to the 47th Field Ambulance and admitted before being moved to the 32nd C.C.S. where the next day went to the 54th C.C.S. then transferred to Base. He was transported to the 2nd A.E. Hospital at Boulogne the following day and evacuated to England that day on board the hospital ship Peter de Bonick suffering from Bronchial Pneumonia from Gas Shell Poisoning.
On November 10, 1918 was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham and a patient when Peace was declared the following day.
He was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on December 10, 1918. On December 16 a Kit Inspection was held on arrival and two days later the following were issued on discharge from hospital:
1 Drawers, Fork, Knife & Spoon, Flannel Shirt, Singlet, 2 pairs Woollen Socks, Towel, Sea Kit Bag and two identity discs with cord.
Nine days later was discharged to furlough and report to No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott on January 2, 1919. Advice from London granted an extension until the following day and he marched in from Headquarters to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny as ordered.
A Medical Board assessed his case on January 6, 1919 at Sutton Veny and the report is as follows:
Disability: Gas Poisoning
Date of Disability: 27 October, 1918
Place Occurred: Tournai, Belgium
Essential Facts: Patient was gassed with mustard gas on the above date and evacuated to No. 2 A.G.H. at Wimereux and then to 2/1 Southern
A.G.H. Birmingham. Discharged 19 December 1918.
Disability connection: Gas Poisoning attributed to service. Not aggravated by service or climate.
Present Condition: Patient is pale and debilitated.
Complains of cough and dyspnoea (breathless on exertion)
Lungs clear, some tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
Recommendation: Temporarily unfit for general service, one month and fit for home service.
Degree of Disability: Less that 20 percent.
Class: B1a.
Another Kit Inspection took place on January 11, 1919 and the following items were withdrawn and returned to stock:
1 comb and 1 identity disc with cord.
On route these items were replaced in his Kit:
1 Chin Strap, Towel, Woollen Breeches, Dress Service Jacket and 1 Comforter Cap.
Sapper Halliday boarded the ship HMAT Delta to return to Australia at Devonport and on January 25, 1919 the vessel embarked from Plymouth. During the voyage home on February 9 Urine medical tests were conducted which resulted in a clear result of ‘No albumin, No sugar’. Ships Medical Report reads ‘Feels fairly well; coughs at night; fair amount of phlegm; gets pain in chest after coughing. Looks well rested.’
On February 13, 1919 his father received advice that his son was returning home. The ship arrived in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on March 7, 1919 and the Sapper travelled by boat to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) arriving about March 18, 1919.
At the 6th Aust General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on March 24, 1919 he was re-assessed on his medical fitness. Medical notes now include ‘No disability; No cough’ therefore discharge was recommended. A Dental check-up was also undertaken and no treatment required.
Military Discharge took place in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) on April 23, 1919 as medically unfit due to Gas Poisoning.
He returned to Baree, Mount Morgan and was still residing and working there in 1925 as a miner.
The British War Medal (27496) and the Victory Medal (26335) were awarded to Sapper 6626 Frank Halliday, 3rd Tunnelling Company for his war service.
This article appeared in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Saturday June 22, 1935 reporting the ordeal suffered while prospecting:
© Donna Baldey 2010
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