Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Frank, 26, and John Rigby, 29, died whilst serving as Lieutenants with the 21st Battalion, the Australian Imperial Force on the 4 October 1917. They were the sons of Thomas and Martha Rigby, and were natives of Telangatuk East and Coleraine, Victoria, respectively. John had been awarded the Military Medal while serving in the ranks. The brothers have no known grave, and are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres.

John (Jack) Rigby was awarded the Military Medal on 21 September 1916 and was later promoted to Lieutenant. He enlisted on 5 March 1915 and was killed in action on 4 October 1917 in Ypres, Belgium, while serving with the 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery.The recommendation for his MM states "On 5th August at POZIERES he brought his gun into action in the captured trenches, shortly afterwards an enemy shell put the gun out of action, killing one and wounding three men of the set. He removed two of his wounded through the barrage to the Aid post and was about to return for the third when he was ordered to quit owing to the increased intensity of fire. He has been conspicuous for his cool gallantry throughout this action, as was the case on the "Southland" and at Armentieres."

Their father wrote to the army in 1919 requesting that his two sons be buried alongside each other. Despite the best efforts of the army, who had agreed in writing to his request, as soon as the remains were found, neither of the brothers bodies were located and they remain missing until this day.