FREDERICK CHARLES EDDINGTON MESSER
1892-1915
My great-great-granduncle was Frederick Charles Eddington Messer. Fred Messer was born in 1892 to Henry Messer and Mary Jane Costello. After the war broke out, Fred joined the army, and was placed in the 4th Battalion. He left for training in Egypt on October 21st, 1914.
Frederick Messer's battalion was part of the third wave onto the beaches at Gallipoli on 25th of April, 1915. The Australians fought hard during this battle. However, on the 26th, the battalion's commanding officer, A.J.O. Thompson (Thompson-78539) was shot dead by Turkish soldiers. The battle continued on for many days after this.
Sadly, Fred Messer was shot by a sniper's bullet in the head in early May, and he was transported to a hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. He died of his wounds on the 14th of May, 1915. He was 22 years old.
Fred Messer left behind nine siblings and his parents, as well as his fiancee. He is buried in Alexandria in Egypt.
Lest we forget.