BUCKNELL, Frank

Frank was born in Essex, England, to Henry and Rose Bucknell, and came to Australia with other family members in 1910. They lived at the property Springvale, Nullamanna. Frank was a member of the Nullamanna Rifle Club prior to enlisting at Inverell in June 1917 – the same week his brother Wilfred was killed in action at Messines.

Frank became a member of the 53rd Battalion, 10th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia for the United Kingdom on HMAT A28 Miltiades in August 1917. After training in England, he went to France in February 1918 and was transferred to the 33rd Battalion. Just two months later he was gassed and sent back to England for treatment at Stratford on Avon War Hospital. He was then posted to the 9th Training Brigade at Fovant, near Salisbury until returning to Australia and discharged in June 1919. Frank married at Inverell in 1921 and after living at Nullamanna for some time moved to Victoria where he died in 1965.

Frank’s name is recorded on the Nullamanna Honor Roll.