A Mother's Sorrow

Image: Keswick Barracks & Military Hospital in 1914.

Melville Wesley Fradd enlistment papers

Melville Wesley Fradd was born on Minburra Station, South Australia on the 6 May 1894. He and elder brother Walter enlisted in the AIF together on the 23 May 1916 in Adelaide. Roughly two weeks after enlisting Melville was admitted to the camp hospital at Wayville with a fever.

On 12 June 1915 he was transferred to Keswick Military Hospital, but his condition continued to deteriorate and on the 21 June 1915 he was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in North Adelaide, where he died on the 25th June 1916 from measles and bronchial pneumonia. Two other recruits died of meningitis on the same day.

Private Melville Fradd was buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide in Road 5, Row 5E Grave 52.

As he died before the AIF section was established, Melville’s grave is in the general section of the cemetery. His family erected a headstone which had deteriorated with time and was sadly vandalised. A small plaque with Melville’s military details have been placed at the foot of the grave.

His mother Hannah received a pension of 20 shillings a fortnight from the 26 June 1916. The memorial notice to Melville Fradd stated:

“He left his home in health and strength
to answer his country’s call;
He gave his life, he gave his best
For you for me for all;
On Australia’s Roll of Honour
You’ll find our dear boy’s name”
- The Chronicle 30 June 1917

Melville is commemorated in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, panel 186. He is also on the South Australian National War Memorial in Adelaide and the Honour Board in the Laura Civic Centre. Unfortunately, his name is not on the Laura War Memorial in the main street of the town. His name was not included presumably because he did not serve overseas. 

Lest We Forget