Canning, Francis Arnold
No.963 – Private Francis Canning – 14th Battalion AIF
Francis Arnold Canning was born in Creswick Victoria in 1893 to John and Mary Canning. He was one of three siblings, his siblings being Lizzie, Norman and Maggie. It seems the family moved across to Western Australia and took up residence in East Fremantle. The family also lived at James St (later Hickory St) Fremantle.
In 1904 Lizzie married a George Rochford in Fremantle and the following year Maggie married Milton Thomas. Maggie and Milton took up residence in Norfolk St Fremantle. Prior to the First World War Mary Canning returned to Creswick in Victoria with her son Frank. He took up work as a Driver.
On the 17th November 1914 Frank enlisted at Broadmeadows Camp in Melbourne. He was passed as fit with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 8 inches in height; weight of 147 lbs; chest measurement of 36-38 inches; ruddy complexion; blue eyes and dark hair. His religious denomination was Methodist.
Frank was assigned to “H” Company the 14th Battalion with the regimental no.963. When the 8 companies were made into 4, Frank became part of “D” Company. He trained at Broadmeadows for a month with the 14th Battalion, when they received their embarkation orders. On the 22nd December 1914 the 14th Battalion, as well as the 4th Brigade left Port Melbourne. Frank was aboard the H.M.A.T. “Ulysses”.
After arriving in Egypt in late January 1915 the 14th Battalion were sent to Mena Camp and trained hard for the next few months. In mid-April 1915 they received orders to embark for Lemnos Island off the coast of Turkey. They spent a week here before the landing at Gallipoli. On April 25th the landing took place though the 14th Battalion didn’t land until the evening of the 25th April. Upon landing the 14th Battalion were sent to a position on the 2nd Ridge later known as Courtney’s Post. They remained here for the first weeks of the campaign while their sister battalions, the 13th, 15th & 16th were heavily hit at Quinn’s Post and Popes Hill.
On the 19th May the Turkish troops launched a large assault on the Anzac lines and they did manage to breach the line in some places, one of which was the 14th Battalion position. Albert Jacka of the 14th received a Victoria Cross for regaining the battalion’s positions from the Turks. Frank was wounded the same day when a bullet struck him in the hand. After being treated by the 4th Field Ambulance he was taken back to a hospital ship and sent to Egypt. He was admitted to No.1 General Hospital at Heliopolis and on the 28th June 1915 was transferred to a Convalescent Camp at Helouan. He remained here through July 1915. Prior to leaving for the front again he penned the following letter to his mother.
My Dear Mother, just a few lines in haste to let you know that I am quite well hoping it will find you all in the best of health. I had a letter from Gladys yesterday but none from anyone else. I met a lot of Creswick boys that just come over, they said I looked real well on it. Well dear Mother I am going back to the front in the morning and so are busy getting ready to be off. I wrote to you last Sunday. Well dear Mum remember me to all the boys and girls and kiddies for me. They are calling out to fall in so will have to close with best love and wishes from your loving son, Frank xxxxxxxxxxx Mother if anything serious happens to me you will have the money that is coming to me so Au Revoir dear mother may god keep you safe and also me until I return. I am writing this in tears.
On the 1st August 1915 Frank left Egypt and returned to the Dardanelles. He rejoined the 14th Battalion in time for the offensive that was to take place on August 8th. The 14th Battalion as part of the 4th Brigade would advance through the northern foothills to capture Hill 971. During the advance on the 8th August Frank was killed in action. There were no eyewitness reports of his death nor was his body recovered and he is therefore commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.