The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3861) Private Frank James Cattermole, 48th Battalion, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (3861) Private Frank James Cattermole, 48th Battalion, First World War.

3861 Private Frank James Cattermole, 48th Battalion
DOD 14 June 1918
Story delivered 18 September 2018

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Frank James Cattermole.

Frank Cattermole was born in 1899 in Jeparit, Victoria, one of four sons and four daughters born to William and Amelia Cattermole. His father worked in Jeparit as a brickmaker for some years before moving to Rainbow, Victoria, where he took up farming. In 1905 the family moved to Tatiara, near Bordertown in South Australia, where Frank’s father worked as a brickmaker. Frank attended the local state school in Bordertown, and went on to work as a baker’s assistant in the district.

Frank’s older brother John had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, at the age of 21. At that time, Frank was only 16 years old. But in February 1917, shortly after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the AIF with his parents’ consent, and began an extended period of training in Australia.

His departure seems to have been delayed because of having to seek treatment at the Mitcham Clearing Venereal Hospital on Torrens Island during his training. He did not leave Australia for active service overseas until March 1918, more than a year after enlisting. He was posted to the 48th Battalion and first went to England to continue his training. Shortly after his arrival he was sent to hospital for several weeks, returning to his battalion on the Salisbury Plain in late May 1918.

A week after returning to training, Private Cattermole was again admitted to hospital, this time suffering from bronchitis. Two weeks later he died in the New Zealand General Hospital in Codford, Wiltshire, never having seen action. He was buried with full military honours in the cemetery at Codford St Mary, with a number of his mates from his reinforcement unit in attendance. Private Cattermole had been very popular with those around him, and it was later reported that “his loss is very keenly felt”.

William Cattermole chose the words on his son’s grave. They read, “Dear boy, you have gone, but we can never forget your smiling face.” Frank James Cattermole was 19 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Frank James Cattermole, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section