FRANK Dudley was a private in the 28th Infantry Battalion. He was born at Hunter River, NSW and married Martha Ann and they lived at Coombe Street, Collie.
Mr Dudley was a coal miner when he enlisted to serve at Helena Vale on July 27, 1915 at the age of 42. He served in Egypt and France and was reported missing in action in France on July 29, 1916.
His memorial is at the VillersBretonneux Memorial in France. He had two brothers who served in World War I, Frederick John Dudley and Albert Edward Dudley both of NSW. Albert was also killed in action at Pozieres, France, one week before his brother.
Frank Dudley was a family man as can be seen by the many letters to his daughter. One informant states that on July 29, 1916 he saw Frank Dudley at Pozieres in flames hanging on German barbed wire. He knew Dudley well and says that the name is Dudley not Dudly as shown in the list.
“I know Fred (Frank) Dudley was killed at Pozieres on July 29.” “He went over in the first stunt. “I was in the second stunt so didn't see what happened.
“He was killed by shrapnel instantaneously and there was no time to bury him; we came back again afterwards to the trenches.”
Copies of postcards from Frank Dudley Snr to his daughters:
November 22 1915
My dear little girls Just a few little lines hoping to find you both well and happy as it leaves your dear father I hope you are both good little girls to your mother. I hope I will be home with you before long I will find you such a nice little dress. Wishing you all a merry xmas from your loving father. To my dear little Irene hoping to find you well as it leaves me at present. Tell mother I am waiting very anxiously for Hazel and your photos then I will be able to look at them every day, from your ever loving father.
Heliopolis, January 5, 1916
My dear little Irene Just a few lines hoping you are all well as it leaves me at present. Well my dear little girl I wish I could see you all, but I hope it won't be long before I am home with you. I will bring you home a nice little present, from your loving father.
Egypt, February 29, 1916
My dear Irene just a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter I was very pleased to hear you are all well as it leaves me at present well my dear. I hope it wont be long before I am home with you again. I hope you are getting on with the piano and you are attending school if you are looking after Hazel and Harold How does Hazel like school now I suppose she is growing A big girl now. Remember me to Mary Price. Tell her she must write me a postcard I remain your loving Father Kisses for mother and all of you. To my dear Irene Just a line hoping you are all well as it leaves me at present well my dear little Girl I have not got A line from you for a long time I got one from Mary Price so you must write I like to get a few lines from you. From your loving father.
Information courtesy of the Collie- Cardiff RSL and Ryan Dudley.
