RUSHTON, Frank

RUSHTON, Frank – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 462
RANK : Private
UNIT : 7th Machine Gun Company
ENLISTMENT DATE : 23/02/1915
AGE : 21
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : At Sea
PLACE OF BIRTH : Bury, England
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Stockman
DATE OF DEATH : 22/04/1916
PLACE OF BURIAL : Nord Pas de Calais, France

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour, Goondiwindi War Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : RUSHTON, Frank

NOTES :  William and Harriet Rushton of Yelarbon sent three sons off to fight in the First World War. Their sons were Gunner Fred Rushton 30124 of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade who returned to Australia on 19 December 1918; Private Harold Rushton 3411, 1st Pioneer Battalion who returned to Australia on 24 August 1918 and Private Frank Rushton 462, 7th Brigade Machine Gun Company who was Killed In Action in France on 22 April 1916.

The three brothers had been born in England before moving with their parents to Australia. Frank had been working as a stockman around his home town of Yelarbon prior to his enlistment.

On his enlistment papers it stated he enlisted At Sea while aboard HMAT A11 Ascanius where it is possible he was employed to care for the horses. The ship disembarked at Alexandria and Frank was transported to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Frank was admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance on 30 October suffering from influenza. After treatment he re-joined his unit on 6 November 1915.

In February 1916 he was once again sent to hospital suffering from a bout of the mumps and after recovering he was transferred to 7th Brigade Machine Gun Company.

His death came about on 22 April 1916 as a result of his position being compromised when high explosives detonated, killing him instantly.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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