Local Heroes WW1

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Last Updated: Friday, 05 June 2015 15:01

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(Corp) Frederick John Louis Ashmeade

Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade, 9587, a Colt breaker from Melbourne Place, Alberton, South Australia, prior to enlistment 29 February 1916, he embarked with the 11th Field Company Engineers, Headquarters from Outer Harbour, South Australia, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 31 May 1916.

Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade records indicate that just prior to being discharged he got married at the Parish Church Hardenhuish in Chippenham to Florence May Town on the 28/12/1918.  His records also show on 23 July 1919 he embarked on the HT Canberra to return to Australia with his new wife and child.

Honours

Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade was later awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

The British War Medal 1914-1920 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for service between the outbreak of hostilities on 5 August 1914 and the Armistice on 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres up to 1920. There were 338,000 medals in silver awarded to Australians.

The Victory Medal 1914-1919 was awarded to members of British and Imperial forces for operational service only, between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, although eligibility was extended to include service in various theatres during 1919. There were 336,000 medals in silver awarded to Australians.

British War Medal and Victory Medal

Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade was also entitled to receive the ‘Discharged Returned Soldier Badge’, which was instituted in 1916 for members of the AIF who had returned to Australia from active service overseas and been discharged. Some 267,300 badges were issued: it was only for wear with civilian dress, to allow veterans to show that they had served.

‘Discharged Returned Soldier Badge’

The Semaphore War Memorial was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war, such as Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade.

Local commemoration

The Semaphore War Memorial on the Esplanade was dedicated in 1925 to honour all of those from the district who fought in the war. A temporary ‘Memorial Arch’ of wood and iron was first erected at the entrance to the Semaphore Jetty bearing the banner title, ‘For King & Empire’. On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the new memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – one on behalf of the citizens of Port Adelaide district, one for the RSSILA, one on behalf of the parents of the fallen men, and one on behalf of the widows and orphans.

Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade  was most likely among the several thousand people who attended the unveiling of the Semaphore War Memorial on 24 May 1925.  With him would have been his wife Florence May, his Mother Mrs Ethel Ashmeade.

The following year, a granite obelisk was erected on the foundation stones, with an electric ‘turret type’ clock and topped by a marble Angel of Peace with wings outspread. The local newspaper noted, “all the names of those who enlisted from the district or who made the supreme sacrifice cannot be placed on the monument” so it instead bears a simple commemorative plaque.

On 27 April 1924, four foundation stones for the Semaphore War Memorial were laid at the approach to the jetty – including this stone laid by Colonel Charles Philip Butler DSO (ex-43rd Battalion AIF) on behalf of the returned sailors and soldiers such as Corporal Frederick John Louis Ashmeade.

Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL

For the 2015 commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, the Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL has created a virtual Honour Board listing the names of over 2,000 local men who volunteered to serve in World War 1. Among them are counted Frederick John Louis Ashmeade, a Colt breaker and a returned eteran of service in  France.