When Frederick Charles Whamond enlisted on 24 June 1915 he claimed that he was 18 years of age and born in Windsor, Victoria. In fact he was born at South Yarra on 10 July 1900 and was only 15. This unfortunately was just the beginning of a career of deceit. His mother possibly thought the army might do him good as she signed her agreement to his enlistment. He was the son of William Gourlay Whamond (who died in 1901), and his wife, Susan, nee Ellison. Fred gave his occupation as farmer. He named his mother, of 12 Vale Street, East Melbourne, as his next of kin. He was 5ft 3ins tall, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was appointed to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 10th Reinforcements as a driver and was sent to Broadmeadows for training.
He embarked on 27th September 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata. Soon after arrival in Cairo he was admitted to hospital with gastritis. He was attached to 2nd Brigade Headquarters at Tel el Kebir in December 1915. Two month later he was awarded three days’ forfeited pay for refusing to obey an order.
On 20 March 1916 he embarked with his unit for France, arriving at Marseilles a week later. On 1 November 1916 he was demustered as a driver and made a gunner at his own request.
From 1 January to 23 January 1917 he was in hospital with diarrhoea. Two weeks later he was back with bronchitis. He was AWOL over two days in June 1917 and again forfeited three days’ pay. On 5 July 1917 he was transferred to Australian Army Medical Corps at the Training Depot, Perham Downs as a private. He was AWOL again four days later. He returned for duty with 2nd Training Battalion, Durrington on 28 July 1917. Another episode of AWOL in November 1917. Worse was to come.
In a Court Martial held at Weymouth 13 September 1918 was charged with 18 counts of forgery from 22.9.17 to 18.6.18. He was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour and forfeited 574 days’ pay. He was admitted to Wandsworth on 26 September 1918.
He left for Australia on 20 June 1919 per HT Miltiades and disembarked at Melbourne to HM Gaol on 5 August. He was released from gaol and dishonourably discharged at Melbourne ‘Services no longer required’ on 23 August 1919. He automatically forfeited his right to all war medals.
It should be remembered that Whamond was only 15 when he enlisted. Rather than the exciting adventure he no doubt hoped for he found himself in circumstances which his immaturity would have made him ill-equipped to handle.
Yet his life of deception continued. In 1938 he was charged with ‘he not being registered as a dentist in the State of Victoria, did practise dentistry for reward at Kooweerup’. He continued practising as a dentist as late as 1953 when his surgery in Elsternwick burnt down. He stated he would continue his practice from his private address at Kooyong Road Caulfield.
In 1958 writing from 2 Fuller Street, South Caulfield he wrote requesting a copy of his discharge papers as he wanted a War Service Home Loan. It appears this was not granted.
In 1920 he had married Uleen Haidee Metyler. On 8 August 1938 a death notice appeared in The Argus for Maisie Elizabeth the beloved wife of Frederick Charles Whamond of Warracknabeal
He died on 5 July 1986.
