Sapper Frederick Redfern

SAPPER FREDERICK REDFERN

2403 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

Frederick Redfern was born in Charters Towers, Queensland on January 19, 1891 the son of John and Susan (formerly Bird) Redfern. With the decline of mining in the gold mining town the family moved to Western Australia and were residing at 26 Vivian Street, Kalgoorlie, W.A. and Frederick worked as a miner.

The following was reported in the:

He was provisionally examined at Boulder on January 19 for his medical then the next day went to the Recruiting area at Blackboy Hill camp on January 20, 1916. Frederick an applied to enlist for active service abroad passing their medical examination. Forms of Attestation were completed which reveal personal information of his height 165cms (5ft 5ins), weight of 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-90cms (33-35½ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes that tested to poor vision in the right eye and fair in the left one and yellowish hair. Methodist was his religious denomination. Next-of-kin was his Mother Mrs Susan Redfern of 26 Vivian Street, Boulder, W.A. He took and signed the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day.

Basic training commenced as a Private on February 2, 1916 at Blackboy Hill in Area 3 until February 29. On March 1 he was transferred to the Miners’ Unit and then went to Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements No. 3 Company, Mining Battalion. The regimental number 2403 and the rank of Sapper were also given.

Eighty members of the Reinforcements departed on transport HMAT A14 Euripides from Melbourne, Vic on April 4, 1916. Their voyage terminated at the Suez where the men were transhipped at Alexandria on the City of Edinburgh and disembarked on May 17, 1916 at Marseilles, France. On June 1, 1916 they marched into Base Depot at Etaples.

Sapper Redfern was attached to the 3rd Tunnelling Company on June 25, 1916 and taken on strength with the company on September 30, 1916.

He was taken sick to the 17th Field Ambulance on May 1, 1917 and admitted with an injury to his leg (accidentally) and transferred to the 12 M.A.C. after being admitted to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station with a fractured right fibula. The next day went to the 10th Stationary Hospital at St Omer and onto Boulogne and departed for England on the hospital ship St Andrew entering the Norfolk War Hospital in Norwich with a fractured Fibula.

His name appeared in the 311th Casualty List reproduced in the Western Mail on Friday June 22, 1917:

By August 10, 1917 he had recovered to return to No. 2 C.D. and at the end of the month went to No. 4 Command Depot.

Disciplinary action was taken on October 31, 1917 for the following:

Offence: Codford 30/10/17 A.W.L. from 7 a.m. 30/10/17 till 1.50 p.m. 30/10/17.

Award: 3 days F.P. No. 2 [Field Punishment] by Lt-Col Wanliss 31/10/17.

Total forfeiture: 4 days pay.

On March 14, 1918 marched out to Hurdcott then taken to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge, Deverill. He proceeded to France on April 9, 1918 arriving at the A.G.B.D. at Rouelles and rejoined his unit on April 20.

He marched in to the G.H.Q 1st Echelon on October 10, 1918. The following misdemeanour took place while there:

Crime: 7/11/18 (1) Drunk

(2) Using obscene language at an N.C.O.

Award: 21 days F.P. No. 1 by Lt-Col F.H. Treslar.

Total forfeiture: 21 days pay.

Sapper Redfern was with Headquarters when Peace was declared and marched out to Lille on December 4, 1918. On December 12 he returned to his unit.

Leave from France was granted from February 4 to February 18, 1919 and he proceeded the day before and rejoined his unit on February 19, 1919.

The Tunnelling Companies remained on duty as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of roads and bridges in their area. On April 22, 1919 were recalled to Base to prepare to return to England and crossed the English Channel.

Sapper Redfern embarked for Australia on June 1, 1919 from London on board H.T. Somali for the voyage home. While at sea he was admitted to the ship’s hospital on June 6 with debility of his left ankle and was discharged to duty on June 11, 1919. His next-of-kin were advised by Base Records of his impending return on June 24, 1919. The ship docked at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on July 8, 1919.

Military Discharge was issued in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on August 23, 1919 at the termination of his period of enlistment.

For serving his country Sapper 2403 Frederick Redfern, 3rd Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (9044) and the Victory Medal (9004).

He married in 1921 Alma Maria (surname unknown) and they were residing at Passmore Avenue, North Fremantle, W.A. from 1925 to 1936 and he worked as a labourer.

In 1937 moved to John Street, North Fremantle and remained at 70 John Street with the occupation of machinist.

Frederick Redfern passed away on March 25, 1950 aged 59 years. Family tributes and arrangements were published in The West Australian on Monday March 27, 1950:

Ashes are located in the Crematorium Rose Gardens, in niche wall M, position 166.