Son of Mr George Frederick & Mrs Mary Short
Aged 21 years
Died 28th August 1916
Commemorated on the National Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux
The Memorial War Museum, Canberra, Australia
Rushden War Memorial
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Thomas Frederick (left) & Frank Short
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Private Frank Short
Frank was the third son, one of eight children of George Frederick and Mary Short. The family lived at Porters Lodge, Wollaston until 1902 when they moved to Rushden. Their first home was at 60 Moor Road, then 13 Glassbrook Road, next 6 Beaconsfield Terrace and finally 24 Church Street.
Frank attended Newton Road School and Park Road Baptist Chapel, where all the family worshipped. Frank's father was employed as a bootmaker in the shoe industry. After leaving school Frank entered the printing industry and became a printer. On the 16th of October 1911 the family with the exception of Frank's eldest brother and sister emigrated to Australia.
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On the 5th July 1915 Frank and his brother, Thomas Frederick, enlisted into the Australian Army. They were both sent to England for training and then to serve in Egypt. On the 8th June 1916 both brothers disembarked at Marseilles and joined their unit on the Somme on 20th July 1916. On the 8th of August 1916 Thomas Frederick was wounded and sent to England, to the 3rd General Hospital, London, Wandsworth.
On the 28th August 1916 Frank was killed. The Australians fought an heroic battle at Mouqet Farm, a strategic German stronghold.
Frank was officially declared dead and his family notified in January 1919. He was never posted as missing.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 29 August 1919, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
SHORT - In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte Frank Short, who was killed in action in France 1916, late of 14th Battalion, Australian Infantry.
"The war is really over."
To some those words sound nice;
But oh, the sad, sad hearts of those
Whose loved one paid the price.
Farewell to our dear brother,
Sweet thoughts of you we'll keep;
Although three years have passed away
Our grief is just as deep.
Inserted by his loving mother, father, sisters and brother, Ormond road, Elmwood, Melbourne, Australia, formerly of Rushden.
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