Frith, Ernest Leslie

1896 Private Ernest Leslie Frith - Australian Flying Corps

Ernest was born on the 24th March 1898 in Fremantle to Arthur and Susannah Frith, being one of three siblings born into the family, with, Alice 1885 and Edwin 1887. The family were then living in Hampton Road Fremantle.

His mother died in Fremantle on the 29th January 1900 and Arthur Frith took his children to raise in Northam, where he had a tailoring business. Arthur was soon married again to Elizabeth Rewell.

Ernest was then educated in Northam and during this time joined the 85B Cadets of the Citizens Military Forces.

His Father Arthur died in Northam 17th Feb 1910 and Ernie was then raised by his step mother.

After leaving school Ernie began work as a postal assistant/telegraph messenger and also began serving with the 88th Infantry of the Citizens Military Forces.

On the 26th September 1916 Ernie enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was passed as fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 5 inches tall;

Weight  -120lbs;

Chest Measurement - 31-34 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Light Brown.

After his successful enlistment Ernie was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was put into the depot training company where he was taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 1st December 1916 he was then sent to the Signalling Training Depot.

He would spend the next several months learning the signalling trade and hew as also transferred over to Victoria and attached to the Australian Flying Corps training at Laverton. Ernie trained in Victoria with the AFC reinforcements through the first seven months of 1917.

On the 4th August 1917 Ernie was in a group of AFC reinforcements that left Port Melbourne aboard the transport ship HMAT Themistocles. He had the rank of 2nd Air Mechanic. The ship then set sail for Europe and arrived at Glasgow on the 2nd October 1917.

After being disembarked the men were sent to the AFC Details camp at Wendover. He remained there until the 16th November 1917 when he was sent to the School of Wireless at Farnborough. He passed this course and then returned to the AFC Details Camp.

Ernie remained in England for a few more months and it wasn't until the 27th March 1918 that he proceeded to France. On the 30th March 1918 he was sent to the 3rd Squadron Australian Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic Wireless Operator.

According to the Australian War Memorial, the 3rd Squadron AFC

In November 1917, the squadron moved to Flanders to operate in support of the Australian Corps. Its duties included locating enemy gun emplacements, artillery spotting and bombing patrols. In early 1918, operations extended to dropping propaganda leaflets and, in February, photographic reconnaissance work. During the German spring offensive, the squadron moved to the Somme valley and was involved in vital artillery spotting operations. On 21 April 1918, 3 Squadron aircraftbecame involved in the action leading to the death of the German air ace Manfred von Richthofen.

In late June 1918 the squadron was involved in experiments in aerial supply methods for ground troops and in July contributed to noise diversion operations in connection with the battle of Hamel. The squadron also assisted Allied movements in the battle of Amiens by dropping smoke bombs and continued its reconnaissance duties during the Allied advance to the Hindenburg Line. The squadron's last offensive operations took place on 10 November 1918, the day before the signing of the Armistice.

Ernie's role at 3 Squadron was for the wireless communication between his unit and artillery and infantry units at the front. When he joined them the 3rd Squadron was on the Somme front.

In June 1918 Ernie was detached for duty with the 6th Field Artillery Brigade to aid communication between the 3rd Squadron and the artillery. On the 28th June he returned to his unit and remained with them till the 12th October 1918 when he was detached for duty with the Headquarters of the 3rd Australian Division Artillery.

The Armistice was announced on 11th November 1918 and Ernie remained detached for duty with the artillery till the 15th February 1919.

On the 3rd March 1919 Ernie returned to England and was sent to the AIF Camp at Weymouth to await his return home. On the 6th May 1919 Ernie boarded the transport ship Kaiser-il-Hind and set sail for home, disembarking in Fremantle on the 9th June 1919.

Ernie was discharged from the AIF on the 9th July 1919. He then returned home to Northam

By 1925 Ernie was living at Hammersley Road Subiaco and was working as a clerk.

Ernie married on the 4th February 1928 to Jessie Harris Gow and they would have James born in 1929 and Richard in 1932.

In 1931 the family were living at 6 Portland St Hollywood and was working as a civil servant. They were living here through the 1930's.

Ernie saw more service During World War Two. Enlisting in March 1942, John was passed as fit and was given the service number W133. He was initially given the rank of Lieutenant and was later promoted to Captain. From 1942 he served in Western Command and the Line of Communications through the state. He served through to 1946.

The family were now living at Lord St Scarborough and in the 1950's moved to 8 Saunders Street Cottesloe. He was still working as a civil servant during this time.

In 1963 the family moved to 117 Shenton road Swanbourne before having a few years in Bunbury.

Ernie died on the 4th December 1969 aged 71. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.