About Frank Richardson
Frank was born in 1898 in Ullina, Victoria to William & Mary Richardson. He was the fifth child born to the couple, his father was a teacher and Frank grew up in regional Victoria.
Broome Connection
Frank’s older brother Hugh Leona Richardson had established himself in the pearling industry and Frank joined him around 1912.
War Service
Frank travelled home to Victoria to enlist in the AIF in March 1915. He was posted to the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train which embarked at Melbourne aboard the HMAT Port Macquarie which arrived at Lemnos in July 1915. In November Frank was wounded in action when shrapnel entered his right leg and he was sent back to Egypt to recover. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli Frank was transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade which embarked at Alexandria in June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles. After another transfer to the 25th Field Artillery Brigade Frank attended the school of instruction and trained as a signaller. In January he was posted back to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade. By this time Frank had been serving for nearly two years and was granted a two week furlough. In September 1917 he was promoted to Bombardier , and then to Corporal. Only two months after his promotion Frank was killed in action when a piece of shrapnel entered his left side.
Enlistment Details
Newspaper Articles
Other Online Resources
View Frank Richardson at the National Archives of Australia
View Frank Richardson at the Australian War Memorial