Studio portrait of Major (Maj) Fred Leslie Biddle, DSO, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (2 FAB). A ...

Studio portrait of Major (Maj) Fred Leslie Biddle, DSO, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (2 FAB). A soldier, of East Melbourne, Victoria, prior to the war, he served for 10 years in the Australian Field Artillery where he was commissioned on 20 October 1910 and promoted to Captain (Capt) on 1 September 1913. At the outbreak of war Capt Biddle was commissioned in the 2 FAB and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Shropshire for Gallipoli. The unit was withdrawn to Egypt in December 1915 and subsequently relocated to the Western Front, France, in March 1916. He was promoted to Major on 12 March 1916. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 4 October 1916 for conspicuous gallantry over a three day period in July 1916 at the Battle for Pozieres during which he was wounded for the first time. Maj Biddle was repatriated to England for treatment and rehabilitation before rejoining the 2 FAB as temporary commanding officer on 25 September 1916. He was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field during November 1916. Maj Biddle was wounded a second time on 16 August 1917 and died of these wounds the following day at No 32 Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium. He was aged 32 years.