Brennan, Frank Matthew

No.4561 – Private Francis Matthew Brennan – 48^th Battalion AIF

Frank Brennan was born in Guildford Western Australia in 1882. He had several siblings born in WA. After attending the local school Frank took up a variety of occupations including Labourer and Horse Driver. He lived for a time in Kalgoorlie but prior to the war was living with his wife Florence at 31 Arundel Street Fremantle. (later renumbered to 17 Arundel)

On the 15^th October 1915 Frank presented himself at the recruitment office and enlisted into the AIF. He was passed as fit for service and was found to be 5 feet 4 inches in height; weight of 144 lbs; chest measurement of 34-36 inches; fair complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

At Blackboy Hill Camp Frank was initially sent to No.35 Depot Company, then on the 27^th November 1915 to “A” Company Depot where he stayed until the 17^th December 1915. Frank was then assigned to the 14^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion AIF. This group left Fremantle Harbour on the 12^th February 1916 aboard the H.M.A.T. “Miltiades”. After they arrived in Egypt the men were sent to the 4^th Training Battalion and were most likely expecting to join the 16^th Battalion shortly. However with the expansion of the AIF from 2 Divisions to 5, new Battalions were created and the old Battalions were cut in half to provide experienced men. Thus the 16^th Battalion was split in half and one half went to form the 48^th Battalion.

Frank was one of the men sent to help form the new 48^th Battalion AIF and he was taken on strength on the 2^nd April 1916. They trained in Egypt until the end of May 1916 and on the 2^nd June embarked for France. After arriving in Marseilles on the 9^th June 1916, the 48^th Battalion was sent to the north of France to gain trench line experience around Armentieres. They were in this sector till mid-July when they were relieved by the 5^th Division units. The 48^th Battalion was sent to the Somme where they went into action at Pozieres on the 5^th August 1916. Unfortunately Frank did not last long as he was killed on the 6^th August 1916. Unlike many from that battle Frank has a known grave. When he was killed he was buried at Long Drive Valley by the Chaplain of the 12^th Infantry Brigade. After the war his grave was moved to the small Sunken Road Cemetery in Contalmaison. His brother-in-law Francis Sims was also killed in World War One.

Frank’s wife Florence remarried in 1918 to a returned soldier by name of Outen and later moved to Victoria.