Frederick Charles Eddington Messer (1892 - 1915)

Born 1892 in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 14 May 1915 at about age 23 in Alexandria, Egypt

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Biography

Frederick Messer was born in the Colony of New South Wales (1788-1900)

Frederick Messer is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Private Frederick Messer served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I
Service started: 18 Aug 1914
Unit(s): 4th Infantry Battalion
Service ended: 14 May 1915

Frederick Messer was wounded at Gallipoli during The Great War.

Private Frederick Messer died of wounds attained at Gallipoli during World War I.

On 18th August 1914 at Penrith, Frederick was one of the first to enlist (was issued regimental number 275) in the newly-formed Australian Imperial Force, his young nation's all-volunteer expeditionary force for the (First World) War, and allocated to the 4th Infantry Battalion. ^[2] He was 22 years of age and engaged to marry Ruby Price. ^[3] At Sydney on 20th October, he embarked aboard HMAT Euripides A14 with the 4th Battalion, bound for the Middle East. ^[4] After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2nd December. There, it joined the remainder of the 1st Brigade and Australian Imperial Force, then a single division (later known as the 1st Division as the AIF expanded). ^[5]

After training in Egypt, the 4th Battalion embarked at Alexandria, Egypt for the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea to the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. There, on 25th April 1915, they formed part of the third wave to land on the shores of what would soon become known as Ancac Cove. Some of his mates 'fell' that day and over the following weeks; indeed, his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Astley Thompson, was killed in action the following day. ^[5]

Early in May, Frederick was shot by a sniper and subsequently evacuated by hospital ship to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. It was there that he passed away on the 14th May 1915. His remains are buried in the Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt. Frederick Charles Eddington Messer's name is located at panel 41 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and on the Cenotaph at Penrith. ^[6]

Following the war, his family received his 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal from the Commonwealth Government.

Private Frederick Messer

There is still so much to discover about the life of this young man. What school did he attend? What living did he make in the years between graduating school and enlisting in the AIF? Are you able to help? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #29204/1892; registered in Penrith
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 275 Private Frederick Charles Messer; accessed 28 Apr 2024
3. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ae018331aef1d5a17dc1be3/t/5cc03a7cfa0d6027134e7196/1556101782077/HomeFront-catalogue-6-May.pdf
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial embarkation roll: 275 Private Frederick Charles Eddington Messer; accessed 28 Apr 2024
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} 4th Battalion Australian War Memorial unit record: 4th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 28 Apr 2024
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: 275 Private Frederick Charles Eddington Messer; accessed 28 Apr 2024

• https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1647162

Accessed 12 January 2024.