Page Street, Svensson Heights now displays the badge of the Australian Army in honour of Captain Frank Page, as part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program.
Born in Brisbane in 1890 to Horace and Elizabeth Page, Frank’s hometown was Roma in Western Queensland.
As a young man, he undertook military cadet training in the Wide Bay district before working for the Queensland Government at Biggenden State Farm for two years.
He was Assistant Manager at Roma State Farm when he enrolled in the Australian Imperial Force on 26 August 1914, aged 24 years.
WWI service history
Upon enlistment, Frank joined the 9th Infantry Battalion and embarked from Brisbane on HMAT Omrah for Alexandria, Egypt.
In March 1915 the Battalion joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force Gallipoli Campaign and Frank was appointed Lance Corporal in July 1915.
Frank was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field at Gallipoli, with this account recorded by Major-General, Commanding 1st Australian Division:
“A signaller had been sent to an Officer of an attacking party out in front of our trenches.
“He had to pass through a zone of shell and heavy machine gun fire.
“He succeeded in delivering it personally and coming back still under fire stopped and brought in two wounded men.
“He subsequently went out again with the M.O. and rendered first aid.”
In April 1916, Frank’s Battalion moved to the battlegrounds of France, disembarking in Marseilles from where they joined the Battle for Pozieres in the Somme Valley.
As a Lieutenant, Frank was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’ by General Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.H, Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France:
“I have the honor to submit the name of the undermentioned officer serving under my command, whose distinguished and gallant services, and devotion to duty, I consider deserving of special mention:- Lieutenant FRANK PAGE,” the London Gazette read on 2 January 1917, in Second Supplement No. 29890.
He was also awarded the Military Cross in March 1917 signed H.B Walker, Major-General, Commanding 1st Australian Division for “excellent work for the progress of the unit”.
“His keenness and activity have been of immense value to the Battn both in the line, and when in training,” it said.
“He has had continuous service with the Battn since 26 August 1914, except for a period of two months, due to sickness.”
Frank was promoted multiple times through his service history, being made Lieutenant in May 1916 and Captain in June 1917.
Frank was wounded in action at Broodsiende, outside Ypres in Belgium, on 9 October 1917.
He suffered multiple shell wounds to his legs, back and lower body and was admitted to hospital in Belgium before being transferred to 35th General Hospital in Calais.
He died of his wounds on 29 October 1917, aged 27 years old.
Captain Frank Page was buried in Calais Southern Cemetery, France, where his grave bears the personal inscription “Our brave son, memory revered, Father, Mother, Boreen Qld Australia”.
Frank is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Roma Heroes Avenue, Cootharaba Pictorial Honour Roll, and Town of Roma and Shire of Bungil WWI Honour Board.
Information about Captain Frank Page’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Virtual War Memorial.
Service Number: 484
Streets of Remembrance
Page Street, Svensson Heights was named in honour of Frank on 29 March 1951, as his brother, Eric Page, remained a resident of Bundaberg after Frank’s death.
Council’s Streets of Remembrance program recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
