The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Pritchard
- First Name:
- Francis Kenneth
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8716
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- Headquarters Company
- Enlisted:
- 23.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 6.12.1940
- DOB:
- 14.03.1914
- Place of Birth:
- Northam, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Francis James Pritchard
- Mothers's Name:
- Isabella Kate Pritchard
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Shop Manager
- Java:
- Soldier remained onboard HMT Aquitania at Fremantle. He had fallen ten feet onto right foot on 15.1.1942 and twisted his knee. He did not trans-ship at Ratai Bay, Java with the battalion but remained onboard the Aquitania and returned to Fremantle due to synovitis to the knee. An operation was performed and soldier's right leg was placed in plaster for three months. Soldier then convalesced for four months and after the plaster was removed, he was Taken on Strength as reinforcements for the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion on 17.7.1942. Taken on Strength with the 35th Infantry Battalion on 25.9.1942 and then the reformed 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion on 12.12.1942. Embarked Fremantle HMT Duntroon on 23.7.1943 and disembarked at Port Moresby on 28.7.1943. Soldier saw action at Ramu Valley when the 2/2nd Pioneers were brought in to replace the 2/16th Battalion. The soldier disembarked at Balikpapan from LST 632 (Landing Ship Tank) sometime after 13.5.1945.
General Description
Younger brother to Frederick (Fred) Francis Pritchard WX8739.
Frank remained onboard ‘Aquitania’ at Fremantle. He had fallen ten feet onto his right foot 15 Jan 1942 and twisted his knee. He did not tranship at Ratai Bay, Java with the battalion but remained onboard when ‘Aquitania’ sailed back to Fremantle due to his synovitis to his knee.
Frank’s knee is operated in WA and placed in a plaster for three months. This was followed by a four month convalescence after the plaster was removed. He was Taken on Strength as reinforcements for 35th Infantry Battalion on 25 Sept 1942 and then reformed for 2/2nd Battalion on 12 Dec 1942. Frank embarked Fremantle HMT Duntroon on 23 July 1943 and disembarked Port Moresby 28 July 1943. Frank saw action at Ramu Valley where 2/2nd Pioneers were brought in to replace 2/16th Battalion. He disembarked at Balikpapan from LST 632 (Landing Ship Tank) sometime after 13 May 1945.
Please read about he boys from Newdegate
Frank married in 1937 to Edith McCade.
