Alexander Stewart Frew

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 05/05/2015 - 12:41
First Name: 
Alexander
Middle Name: 
Stewart
Last Name: 
Frew
Mother's Name: 
Mary
Father's Name: 
George Frew
Date Enlisted: 
Sunday, July 25, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
56th Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Monday, April 2, 1917
Place of Death: 
France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Alexander Frew (Service no. 3152) was born in Wollongong circa 1892 and attended Wollongong Public School. At the time of enlistment he was a single 23 year old Grocer. He embarked on HMAT A69 Warilda with 10th Reinforcements 4th Battalion on 8th October, 1915.

He arrived in Egypt but did not go to Gallipoli. In February 1916 he was transferred to C coy 56th Battalion. Alexander then travelled to France with them and saw service on the Western Front. The 56th Battalion took part in the Battle of Fromelles and on 20th July, 1916 Alexander was wounded in action. He was evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his face, arms and legs. He returned to the front on 7th February, 1917.

On 2nd April, 1918 while attacking German trenches at approximately 9pm, Private Frew was hit by a shell that killed him and a number of others. He was buried by troops where he fell but his grave has been lost. He is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Alexander is also remembered on the Wollongong Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

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