Chapman Valley History

Frederick William West

5795, Lance Corporal Frederick William WEST
Unit: 11th Battalion, 18th Reinforcements, AIF

Where Born: Acacia, Broken Hill, New South Wales
School: Geraldton State School, Western Australia
Address: East Chapman, WA
Occupation: Farmer
Religion: Church of England
Marital status: Single
Parents: William Halden and Mary West nee Jones, East Chapman, via Geraldton, WA
Description: Height 5’ 8”; weight 149 lbs; chest 33/36”; medium complexion; blue eyes; brown hair

War Service: Frederick enlisted at Blackboy Hill, WA, 11 Jan 1916, aged 24 years 11 months. He embarked per HMAT Ajana from Fremantle, WA 15 Jul 1916. He disembarked at Plymouth, England 01 Sep 1916 and three months later on 04 Dec 1916, proceeded per S.S. Princess to Etaples, France where he joined his battalion 17 Jan 1917. On 24 Apr 1917, he was admitted to the 3rd Field Ambulance with an abrasion to his foot. Frederick rejoined his battalion 21 May 1917, however, 14 Jul 1917 he was again admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance with mumps and was discharged to duty a week later. Again on 04 Dec 1917, he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance with parotitis, suspected mumps. 27 Dec 1917 Frederick was transferred to the 1st convalesce depot and on 03 Dec 1917, transferred to the 3rd rest camp at Boulogne, France. On 09 Jan 1918, Frederick proceeded to join his unit at Havre, France. He was granted leave to the UK 21 Jan 1918, rejoining his unit 06 Feb 1918. He was appointed Lance Corporal 31 Jul 1918. On 08 Aug 1918, the Allies launched the Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens. On 10 Aug 1918  the 11th Battalion launched a strong attack around Lihons. Though successful, the attack lasted 3 days and the fighting resulted in heavy casualties with 58 killed and 140 wounded.
Killed in Action: 10 Aug 1918 at Amiens, France, aged 27 years
Cemetery: Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal