Ebert, Frederick John

16013 - Gunner Frederick John Ebert - 12th Field Artillery Brigade

Frederick John Ebert was born in Eltham Victoria on the 17th September 1893 to Peter and Marie Ebert. He was one of five siblings, with Harold 1895, Elizabeth 1898, Peter 1902 and Marie 1904.

After Fred's birth the family moved to Western Australia and took up residence in Fremantle. Fred's father Peter was a baker in the Fremantle and Jandakot region.

Fred completed his education in Fremantle and after leaving school took up employment with the Western Australian Government Railways initially as a cleaner but then as a fireman. He worked for WAGR in Fremantle, Perth, York and Collie.

The family were living in Jandakot just prior to the Great War.

On the 5th January 1916 Fred enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was accepted as fit for service, with the medical examiner recording Fred's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;

Weight - 132lbs;

Chest Measurement - 37 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - fair.

Upon his successful enlistment Fred was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was initially assigned to the infantry depot. He spent a few weeks there and was then transferred into the Artillery reinforcements. As the main Artillery training camp was in Victoria, the WA Artillery reinforcements were transferred there to Maribyrnong Camp continue training.

He trained in Victoria till the 12th May 1916 when they were sent Sydney and boarded the transport ship HMAT Beltana. The ship then set sail for England.

After his arrival in England Fred was sent to the Artillery Camp at Parkhouse. He remained there till the end of November 1916. On the 1st December Fred was then sent to France and went into the Australian Base Depot Camp. He would have the next few weeks here as it wasn't until the 8th January 1917 that he was assigned to the 46th battery of the 12th Field Artillery Brigade.

The 12th Field Artillery Brigade were then situated on the Somme battlefield providing supporting fire for the infantry. It was reportedly the coldest French winter in decades. They were here till the end of February 1916.

In March 1917 the Germans began their withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. The Australian and British infantry followed up this withdrawal closely and several sharp battles were fought around the Hindenburg Line outpost villages. As a result the Australian Artillery also moved forward to provide fire support around Lagnicourt, Noreuil and Bullecourt.

Fred's unit were in this area from March to May 1917 and they were then moved to the Belgian front to provide artillery fire support during the Battle of Messines. On the 4th June 1917 Fred was wounded by shrapnel in the thigh when a German artillery shell fell near his Battery.

He was treated at the nearest Field Ambulance and was then sent to the 8th General Hospital at Wimereux. He was only there for a few days as on the 9th June 1917 Fred was shipped to England. He was admitted to Bevan Military Hospital and would remain there till the 18th July 1917. Fred was then transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield.

Fred had recovered well and on the 23rd July 1917 he was released from hospital for a two week furlough. When he returned on the 6th August 1917 Fred was sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Perham Downs.

As he was still not near full fitness the decision was made by the medical authorities to keep Fred in England for the next few months. On the 20th September 1917 he was sent to No.3 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott. He spent several weeks here and then on the 26th October was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell.

Fred was now deemed well enough to return to France and he left England on the 15th November 1917. After arriving at Rouelles he was sent to the Australian Base Depot Camp. He spent a week there and then rejoined the 12th Field Artillery Brigade on the 26th November 1917.

From December 1917 to March 1918 the 12th Field Artillery Brigade would be situated in Belgium, south east of Ypres providing fire support to the front line.

On the 14th January 1918 Fred was evacuated sick with pleurisy and was sent to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne. He spent a few weeks here receiving treatment and after somewhat recovering was sent to a rest camp and convalescent depot. Fred eventually rejoined his unit on the 13th March 1918.

On the 21st March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive in France and broke through the British front and were making a speedy advance. The Australian Infantry Divisions were then sent south to France to help stop this advance and they were soon followed by the Artillery Brigades.

However the 12th FA Brigade was still in the north of France when the Germans broke through the line in Belgium in April 1918 and helped form a defense near the La Bassee Canal. The 12th Brigade HQ just escaped capture from the Germans before they were able to withdraw to a safer distance and supported the 51st Division in resisting the Germans.

Fred and the 12th Field Artillery Brigade then remained in the northern French sector till the end of July 1918, when they were then sent south to the Somme to rejoin the Australians.

Fred served with his unit during this time except for a two week break at the 2nd Army Rest Camp in June/July 1918.

The 12th Field Artillery Brigade took part in the August 8th advance from Amiens when the Australian, British and Canadian infantry broke through the German lines. From then until October 1918 the Artillery continued to support the infantry in their operations against the Germans. While the Australian infantry had been withdrawn from the line in early October 1918, the Australian artillery were in action till up to the Armistice on November 11th 1918.

Fred survived this period unscathed and on the 1st December 1918 was given a two week furlough to England. While he was on leave in England he fell ill with influenza and was sent to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. On the 14th December 1918 he was transferred to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth.

On the 18th January 1919 Fred boarded the transport ship Ulysses and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 24th February 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on the 10th April 1919.

After his return Fred returned to the family home at Jandakot before resuming his role as a locomotive fireman. 

Fred got married on the 19th January 1925 in Perth to Minnie Sophia Maria Beaumont. They would live in Maylands and have a daughter called June.

Fred died on the 23rd July 1943 in Maylands aged 49. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery plot Anglican LB 0206.