Military History

Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Aeneas’ A60 for UK. 30.10.1917.
Roll Rank Shoe Smith/ Farrier (Voyage Only) 27th Reinforcement.
Beetson reverted to Rank of Private prior to disembarkation in UK. 25.12.1917. He disembarked with the Australian Army Service Corps (ASC) 27th Reinforcement at Devonport 27.12.1917 and marched in to AASC Training Depot Parkhouse 28.12.1917.
During training at Tidworth, Beetson was admitted to the General Hospital (No 8 Australian General Hospital) with Scabies 22.2.1918. He had 1 week off duty 17.6.1918. Beetson marched out to Warminster to Australian Army Supply Column Detachment 10.7.1918. He was posted to the 4th Division Training Posted 10.7.1918. He was variously reported sick with Bronchitis, Pyorrhoea 1918 and admitted to Hospital with Scabies 11.6.1920. Beetson was not engaged in active service.
Embarked per ’Ceramic’ for Australia 12.3.1920.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 18.4.1920.
Discharged 13.6.1920. Discharge cancelled. Final discharge 9.9.1920.
Final Rank Private, Shoe Smith/Farrier, Australian Army Service Corps.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal.
Notes Beetson was not eligible for the Victory Medal as he did not serve on the front under a Battalion. He a was recorded in local papers for an assault in 1914 and drink driving offences in 1938 in Kalgoorlie. Beetson was recorded as a single  prospector in Kalgoorlie in 1938. (Kalgoorlie Miner  4.4.1938  P1) He died aged 73 years in Bunbury (West Australian 26.4.1951 p24)
Photos HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photograph source State Library NSW image  a636033r
             Farriers at their improvised smith work shop near Morcourt 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03086
             HMAT Ceramic. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0284A

Information Source
AWM E03086. Farriers at their improvised smith work shop near Morcourt 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM PB0284A. HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Frank Douglas Beetson
Guildford War Memorial
Kalgoorlie Miner
NAA: B2455, Beetson F D 15017
SLNSW a636033r . HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photograph sourced from thePictprial Collection of the State Library  of New South Wales
West Australian Newspaper


Remount Depot, Bushmead Road, South Guildford, WA.

Associated Images