Caple, Frank Horace

8807B Private Frank Horace Caple – 53^rd Battalion AIF

Frank Horace Caple was born in Fremantle WA in 1891 to William and Charlotte Caple. He was one of several siblings born in the port city, with the family living in South Fremantle. Frank was educated locally and after leaving school he took up work as a horse driver. In 1915 Frank married Edith Lestrange in Fremantle and the couple took up residence in Hulbert Street South Fremantle. They would not remain here together long for on the 26^th July 1915 Frank enlisted into the AIF. He went to the Swan Barracks in Perth and was passed as fit. The medical examiner recorded Frank’s physical attributes as;

Height:                                     5 feet 2 inches;

Weight:                                    120lbs;

Chest Measurement:               31-33 inches;

Complexion:                            Fair;

Eyes:                                       Blue;

Hair:                                        Light Brown;

Distinctive Marks:                    Vaccination scar left arm.

After being passed fit for service Frank was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.1 Depot Training Battalion. He was taken through the basics of infantry work and on the 28^th September 1915 Frank was transferred into the 11^th Reinforcements to the 12^th Battalion AIF. He had just over a month training with this group in WA as at the end of October Frank’s reinforcement group received their departure orders. On the 1^st November 1915 Frank’s reinforcement group boarded the HMAT Beltana and set sail for Egypt. The sea journey took just over three weeks and Frank arrived in Egypt towards the end of November. Frank and his group would have been expecting to be sent on to Gallipoli, however the decision had been made to evacuate the Dardanelles so the reinforcements were retained in Egypt.

Frank spent a few weeks in the 3^rd Training Battalion but on the 15^th December he transferred into a new unit, the 20^th Company Australian Army Service Corps. He spent over two months with this group in Egypt but on the 14^th March 1916 he was transferred into the newly forming 53^rd Battalion AIF of the 5^th Division. Frank would train with this group over the next few months in the Egyptian desert and he took part in the infamous 14^th Brigade march. The 5^th Australian Division was the last Australian infantry division to leave Egypt for France and on the 19^th June Frank and his battalion boarded the SS Royal George and set sail for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 28^th June 1916.

Interestingly in his records Frank is stated to have been wounded in the thigh on the 29^th June, while the battalion were making their way north, however there is nothing further in his service record or battalion war diary as to the nature or cause of the wound. He was initially sent to the 3^rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Boulogne but was then transferred to the 2^nd Australian General Hospital.

Having been wounded on the battalion’s first full day in France meant that Frank wasn’t with them when the 53^rd Battalion fought at Fromelles. He only rejoined the 53^rd Battalion on the 4^th September 1916 in the vicinity of Fleurbaix. Frank was appointed a Driver to the Transport section and he would have been kept busy in keeping the battalion supplied. In October the 5^th Division moved to the Somme front near Flers and it was here that they would spend the 1916/17 winter.

Frank’s task during this period would have been difficult due to the horrible muddy conditions the infantry and transport had to daily traverse. The battalion had a lot of men hospitalised due to sickness during this period though Frank’s health appears to have stayed good.

In late February 1917 the Germans began their withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. The 5^th Division was among the units pressing the German retirement and the 53^rd Battalion saw action near Bapaume.

Once the Germans were behind the Hindenburg Line there were two battles fought for the vital town of Bullecourt. The first battle didn’t succeed in April so a second battle was fought in May. The 2^nd & 1^st Australian Divisions were the first involved but were then reinforced with the 53^rd Battalion and other elements of the 5^th Division. Frank was severely wounded in the arm on the 10^th May 1917. He was initially treated at the 8^th Field Ambulance before being sent to the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station, where he remained until the 8^th June. Frank was then put on an ambulance train and sent to the 6^th General Hospital at Rouen.

Frank’s wound was considered serious enough by the medical officers that on the 26^th June he was sent to England for further treatment. He was admitted to Devonport Military Hospital where he remained under treatment until the 13^th August 1917. Unfortunately Frank had to have his arm amputated which was why he remained in hospital so long. On the 13^th August Frank was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford.

Due to the amputation of the arm the decision was made to repatriate Frank to Australia. On the 26^th September 1917 Frank was transferred to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth and it was here that he would wait for a ship’s berth back to Australia. On the 31^st October 1917 Frank boarded the HMAT Berrima and set sail for Western Australia, disembarking in Fremantle on the 22^nd December 1917.

Frank was then sent to No.8 AGH in South Terrace Fremantle for a medical check up but was soon released and was able to spend Christmas 1917 with his family. He was discharged from the AIF on the 20^th June 1918. Frank lived in South Fremantle for the remainder of his life and died on the 8^th April 1956. He is buried in Fremantle Cemetery Plot Anglican MonA4 0212