Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
The British Mark IV Female Tank Serial 4643 was sent to Australia to assist in raising War Loans, its first stop was Adelaide in September and after a public naming competition the name 'Grit' was bestowed on the tank by Lady Galway, the wife of the South Australian Governor. The tank then moved onto Melbourne and was exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Show where it was just as popular as it was in Adelaide. In October the tank was railed to Sydney for display. An admission charge of eleven shillings was made for adults and three pence for children. For the sum of ten pound ten shillings a ride around a specially constructed circuit could be purchased and for five pound five shillings the tank could be inspected at close hand. The tank was used in few displays during 1919 and was placed in storage in the Army engineering depot in South Melbourne and later transferred to the Australian War Museum. Eventually Grit was moved to Canberra and is now on display in ANZAC Hall at the Australian War Memorial. The tank was commanded by Captain N L Brown.
Hosking F A 2nd Cpl 10187 Frederick Alexander 10 FCE 26 Soldier Married Meth
Address: Essendon, Richardson St, 76
Next of Kin: Hosking, Frances Ann, Mrs, wife, 76 Richardson St, Essendon
Enlisted: 8 May 1916
Embarked: A54 Runic 20 Jun 1916
Prior service: R A Engineers
Mentioned in this publication:
Pioneers of Australian Armour in the Great War by David A Finlayson & Michael K Cecil.
War Service Commemorated
North Essendon Methodist Church
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours