| Accession Number | P09291.208 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Digital print |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1916 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 6312 Private (Pte) Francis John McMillan Oyston, 16th Battalion. An ...
Description
Studio portrait of 6312 Private (Pte) Francis John McMillan Oyston, 16th Battalion. An orchardist from Bakers Hill, Western Australia, prior to enlistment in the 20th Reinforcements of the 16th Battalion, he embarked from Fremantle on 13 October 1916 aboard HMAT Suffolk for Plymouth, England. He proceeded to France in late December 1916 and was transferred to the 32nd Battalion in March 1917. In late July he was hospitalised due to a knee injury before rejoining his battalion near Hazebrouck in early September 1917. Pte Oyston was reported missing in action at Polygon Wood, Belgium, on 29 September 1917. Subsequently he was determined to have been killed in action on that date. Pte Oyston has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He was aged 25 years. His younger brother, 1984 Corporal Harold Arthur Oyston, 51st Battalion, was wounded in action in France but recovered and rejoined his battalion before returning to Australia for discharge in September 1919.