Frank D. Bray
History
Frank Davies Bray was born at Napoleons and[1] attended the Napoleons State School, and the Ballarat School of Mines.[2]
Before becoming a soldier Frank Bray was an assayer and Metallurgist.[3]
He was a member of the 31st Battalion AIF (0582), enlisting on 08 July 1915 at the age of 39 years.[4] Frank Bray embarked on the HMAT Wandilla in Melbourne on 09 November 1915. He disembarked at Suez on 07 December 1915 where he undertook advanced training in weapons and tactics. He sailed from Alexandria on 17 June 1916 for Marseilles, France.[5]
Records relating to Frank Bray's time in France have been lost until the time of his death at Fromelles on 21 July 1916. It is known that he undertook training in trench warfare, and then taken on strength of 31st Battalion before it moved into position for the attack on fromelles. Before becoming a soldier Frank Bray was an assayer and Metallurgist. [6]
After the battle, when the area had been cleared of wounded and dead bodies there was no trace of Frank Bray. No doubt his body had been destroyed by the heavy German artillery fire which killed so many men during the attack. [7]
Legacy
Frank Bray's name is recorded on the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
On 17 August 1917 H. salter of the Federated Carters ad Drivers Union, planted an Ontario Poplar in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour in honour of the World War One service and sacrifice of Frank Davies Bray. [8]
Tree number 130 was planted to honour the memory of Frank D. Bray in the Sebastopol Avenue of Honour. [9]
Tree number 35 was planted to honour the memory of Frank D. Bray in the Buninyong Shire Avenue of Honour. [10]
See also
Alfred E. Bray brother of Frank D. Bray.
Notes
References
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013
- ↑ Particulars Required for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum form.
- ↑ Particulars Required for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum form.
- ↑ Particulars Required for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum form.
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013/
- ↑ Particulars Required for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum form.
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013
- ↑ Email from Colin Trembath (relative) to Clare Gervasoni, 15/11/2013
Further Reading
External links
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3114181
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4025213/fromelles-ballarats-bloody-entry-to-the-western-front/, accessed 21 July 2016.
--Beth Kicinski 14:03, 17 June 2013 (EST); --C.K.Gervasoni 16:00, 15 November 2013 (EST)