Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell is at Sandgate Cemerty. 

“I Once was Lost, but Now am Found”.

Driver Francis (Frank) Joseph O’Hea, 1st Army Troops Company, Australian Engineers, labourer from Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery on the 19th July 1955, age 62. CATHOLIC 2-34. 121.

Born at Armidale, New South Wales on the 14th February 1893 to Patrick and Margaret Adelaide O'Hea, Frank enlisted August 1915 with the 3rd Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Frank returned home invalided February 1919 with an ulcer to his right leg.

Frank's Grandniece Alison Bowling notified me that Mr O’Hea was resting in an unmarked grave, so we placed a cross to honour his service for God, King and Country, and also provided the tragic history of this digger.

Frank had 4 brothers and 1 sister. The youngest of Frank's brothers, Patrick Joseph O'Hea, is my Grandfather. My mother, Anne Purcell (O'Hea) is Frank's niece.

Frank never married. Unfortunately, Frank returned from the war a troubled person and led a tormented life. Pretty sure the same could be said for many of our WW1 veterans.

Frank (Francis Joseph) O’Hea (Service Number 4540) was born in Armidale NSW in 1893 to Patrick and Margaret O’Hea. Frank had 4 brothers and 1 sister. His father (Patrick) moved his family to Newcastle, following work on the Railway.

Prior to enlistment Frank worked as a labourer, particularly a Coal Trimmer.

Frank was 22 years old when he enlisted in September 1915 to serve in the 14th Rein. 3rd Battalion, originally as a sapper and later as a driver. Prior to enlistment there was no evidence of mental or physical illness, indeed he won academic awards during his schooling in Armidale.

According to his service record Frank suffered 2 significant head injuries. The first injury was the result of being hit in the head with a shovel, by Corporal Smith on the 19th April 1918, whilst on active duty in France. The second serious head injury resulted from a gunshot wound to Frank’s head, on the 27 April 1918, also whilst on active duty. Frank was evacuated for treatment at London Hospital, and after approximately four weeks transferred to Dartmouth hospital for rehabilitation. He returned to Australia when he was medically discharged.

Upon his return to Australia Frank lived in his brother’s home at Tighes Hill until his death, with his Mother, Brother & Sister in Law, and their three children.

My mother, Anne O’Hea, is Frank’s niece and has vivid memories of living in the same house as Frank for about 18 years. My mother can never remember Frank being employed, instead he received an invalid military pension. It was common knowledge to the family that Frank was suffering from war nervosas, and had a metal plate in his head following a gunshot wound to his head. His family had court orders to ensure Frank did not drink excessively, as they took all reasonable steps to help Frank cope with life after the war. His behaviour was a constant concern to his Mother, who devoted herself to making sure Frank was not agitated, because he would become quite irrational.

Frank led an isolated life as a result of his war service. Frank was a morose character, clearly adversely affected by his war experiences. He had dug a bomb shelter for himself in the backyard. He was incapable of holding down employment. He did not socialise with any friends. He rarely communicated with his family, his meals were taken to his room, where he spent most of his time alone.
On occasion he would over consume alcohol, and I am told that on these occasions he could become quite agitated and rant about needing to “kill them all”.

According to his death certificate Frank died from a Cerebral Haemorrhage in 1955.

I believe it is clear that Frank’s service in WWI and the serious head injuries sustained during WW1 contributed significantly to his mental illness and ultimately his death from a Cerebral Haemorrhage.

An application for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip submitted August 2018, and was accepted November 2018.

Completed November 2019.
Lest We Forget.