KELLAWAY, Frank Gerald

Frank was born on 7 January, 1895 in East Melbourne. His father the Reverend Alfred Charles Kellaway had emigrated to Australia from Swanage, Dorset arriving in Melbourne in 1863 on the 'Istamboul'. In 1886 he married Ann Carrick Halliley Roberts from Longford, Tasmania at St James Church, Longford. Frank had 4 siblings, an older and younger brother and two older sisters. In 1901 Rev. Kellaway commenced his service as Minister of All Saints Anglican Church, Northcote where he remained until his death in 1930. Frank grew up in Northcote and commenced at Wesley College in 1909, aged 14 years. He matriculated in 1913 having been a Prefect, a Rower and received a Senior Public exhibition in 1913. At school he was a member of the Wesley cadets. He won a scholarship to Queen's College, University of Melbourne to study Law. He remained a keen rower at Queen's and joined the Melbourne Univeristy Rifles for 2 years. Frank was a top student receiving a university exhibition in history.

Frank was in 2nd year Arts when he enlisted as a Private in the AIF(2nd rfts.22nd Btn) on 6 May, 1915. He sailed for Egypt on 16 July, 1915 and landed at Anzac on 4 September having been promoted to Lance Corporal. He disembarked at Marseilles late March, 1916 heading for the Western Front. In May 1916 he was promoted to Corporal. Shortly after arriving in France he was wounded at the Armentieres sector. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 2 August, 1916, he was wounded on 5 August when he led the assault at Poiziers when all officers had been wounded. For this he was awarded the Military Cross. With several gun shots to his left arm and shell shock, he was evacuated to London and admitted to the 5th London General Hospital in Wandsworth. After discharge he completed a course at the UK Gas School. Before returning to the Front he was decorated with the Military Cross by the King at Buckingham Palace on 7th October, 1916. He returned to the Western Front late October and was promoted to Lieutenant on 28 November 1916. During the 22nd Bat. assault on the Broodseinde Ridge near Zonnebeke, Belgium on 4 October 1917, he was intially listed as missing, later confirmed as killed by shelling early in the assault. His body was never recovered and his name appears at the Menin Gate Memorial Panel 23. Frank proved to be a courageous, talented and committed soldier. Over 70 letters to his family are preserved in the Australian War Memorial collection. (see link below)