Francis Herbert Semple
(Confirmed)
Born: 22 August, 1888
Died: 19 May, 1918
Biographical Summary:
Son of William and Alice Ann Semple, 21 Wolger Road, Mosman. Sister Elsie and brother Reg. Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Semple, lived at "Chester" Holt Avenue, Mosman.
Was at Gallipoli.
Letter 13 August 1915, quoted in Bill Gammage, The Broken Years:
One of the greatest difficulties here is the shortage of water… I had… the first [shave] for a week and my face was coated with the dust and grime I had got through all the recent fighting and trench digging. After I had finished the water in my mess tin … [was] muddy … and I washed my face in that and … [then] had my tea out of the same tin.
Promoted 'in the field'.
Killed in action, France, May 1918, "…by a shell, when he was directing the consolidation of the line in front of Morlancourt, death being instantaneous." (Source: NAA service record)
His letters are held at the Australian War Memorial.
University of Sydney Book of Remembrance –
Arts I (e) : Lieutenant, 18th Battn., A.I.F., Gallipoli and France.
Enlisting in May, 1915, and sailing with 6th Reinforcements 2nd Battn., was at the Battle of Lone Pine in August and remained at Anzac until the Evacuation. Promoted corporal in May, 1916, and joining 18th Battn. in France in June, fought in the Somme Battles DD till invalided to England in October. Upon recovery attended New College Officers Training School, Oxford, was commissioned in September, 1917, and, rejoining unit in October at Ypres, served at Messines and the Somme till death while directing consolidation after having captured the enemy position. Promoted lieutenant, January, 1918.
Killed in Action, Morlancourt, 19th May, 1918, and buried in Heilly Station Cemetery.
Early education at Darlinghurst Superior Public School.
He, being dead, yet speaketh.
Source: Book of Remembrance, University of Sydney
Recorded Names:
Service Number: 2247
Ranks:
- Held rank of Lieut
- Held rank of Lieutenant
- Held rank of Second Lieutenant
- Held rank of Corporal
- Held rank of Private
Birth Records:
Death Records:
Life Events:
Address:
Relationships:
Organisations:
- Member of - 18th Battalion, AIF
- Member of - 18th Battalion (Infantry), Australian Army
- Member of - University of Sydney
- Member of - 2nd Battalion, AIF
- Member of - 18th Battalion, AIF
Main Sources:
- SEMPLE Francis Herbert Service Number Lieutenant Place of Birth Sydney NSW Place of Enlistment Liverpool NSW Next of Kin Father SEMPLE William (Item)
- Discovering Anzacs Francis Herbert Semple (Webpage)
- Find War Dead ndash Semple Francis Herbert (Webpage)
- Francis Semple and Norm at the pyramids (Photograph)
- 408th CASUALTY LIST NEW SOUTH WALES KILLED Lieut FRANCIS HERBERT SEMPLE Mosman (Newspaper Article)
- Family Notices SEMPLEKilled in action in France May 19 Lieut (Newspaper Article)
- AWM private record letters DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TRENCH LIFE AND FIGHTING ON GALLIPOLI LEAVE ON LEMNOS ARTICLE ON CAMP LIFE DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF ENGAGEMENTS IN FRANCE (Webpage)
- SEMPLE FRANCIS HERBERT Book of Remembrance University of Sydney (Webpage)
- Semple F H (Photograph)
- Birth Notice (Newspaper Article)
Commemorations:
- SEMPLE F. H. on the West Face of the
- Semple on the St Clement's WW1 Stained Glass Windows
- F H on the St Clement's World War 1 Roll of Honour
