Pte
Joseph Douglas France
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Moulder |
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Religion: Methodist |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 4719 |
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Enlistment date: 24/01/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 17th Bn. (New South Wales) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Anzac, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Poelcapelle British Cemetery Plot: LV Row: B Grave: 6 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Joseph Douglas France enlisted, 23 years of age, together with his younger brother Sydney Frederick on the 24th January 1916.
They were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 17th Battalion AIF, part of the 2nd Australian Division, 5th Brigade.
Joseph worked as moulder in Leichardt, New South Wales and was single.
20th September 1917 was the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road, part of the Battle of Passchendaele ( also known as the Third Battle of Ypres).
The 5th Australian Brigade attacked at 05.40 a.m. with the 20th Battalion and 18th Battalion in support; the 17th and 26th Battalions were in reserve.
The attack went well, although the left of the 20th Battalion met some resistance from a line of old concrete artillery shelters, causing a slight hold up. They went on to the first objective, but whilst attempting to consolidate, came under fire from two pillboxes 200 yards away. To save further casualties, these were dealt with on the spot.
The 18 Battalion took over the attack on the Blue Line, taking Iron Cross Redoubt and Anzac House in its stride.It was then forced to take Garter Point to prevent sniping on troops consolidating the Blue Line.
The third objective, the Green Line, was assaulted by the 17th and 28th Battalions supported by the 26th Battalion, and was taken easily.
An eye witness to Sydney’s death, Corporal J.V. Jacka stated to the Red Cross:” Joe France was with his company up till after they had dug in after reaching their objective. He was in a shell hole when a Fritz machine flew down over our lines and opened a machine gun on us. One of the bullets from this machine pierced Joe’s heart. He would have been buried in the trench."
Private Joseph Douglas France was 25 years of age, and lies in the Poelcapelle British Cemetery, plot LV, row B, grave 6
His brother Sydney Frederick was also killed in action the same day, during the same Battle
They were given consecutive regimental numbers in the 17th Battalion AIF, part of the 2nd Australian Division, 5th Brigade.
Joseph worked as moulder in Leichardt, New South Wales and was single.
20th September 1917 was the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road, part of the Battle of Passchendaele ( also known as the Third Battle of Ypres).
The 5th Australian Brigade attacked at 05.40 a.m. with the 20th Battalion and 18th Battalion in support; the 17th and 26th Battalions were in reserve.
The attack went well, although the left of the 20th Battalion met some resistance from a line of old concrete artillery shelters, causing a slight hold up. They went on to the first objective, but whilst attempting to consolidate, came under fire from two pillboxes 200 yards away. To save further casualties, these were dealt with on the spot.
The 18 Battalion took over the attack on the Blue Line, taking Iron Cross Redoubt and Anzac House in its stride.It was then forced to take Garter Point to prevent sniping on troops consolidating the Blue Line.
The third objective, the Green Line, was assaulted by the 17th and 28th Battalions supported by the 26th Battalion, and was taken easily.
An eye witness to Sydney’s death, Corporal J.V. Jacka stated to the Red Cross:” Joe France was with his company up till after they had dug in after reaching their objective. He was in a shell hole when a Fritz machine flew down over our lines and opened a machine gun on us. One of the bullets from this machine pierced Joe’s heart. He would have been buried in the trench."
Private Joseph Douglas France was 25 years of age, and lies in the Poelcapelle British Cemetery, plot LV, row B, grave 6
His brother Sydney Frederick was also killed in action the same day, during the same Battle
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Sydney Frederick France
Brother |
Sources 8
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 80 + 82-83" Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/491498/joseph-douglas-france/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4033158 Sources used |
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The AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=102932 Sources used |
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The Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=France&people_service_number=4719&people_unit= Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary 17th Battalion https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343929 Sources used |
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War Diary 5th Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347529 Sources used |