Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles William Scott French was born on the 3rd of June 1889, in Charters Towers, in the Colony of Queensland to Charles Jubilee Hill and Famano French. He finished his teaching apprenticeship and passed his necessary examination to become a teacher on the 1St of January 1910. He joined the Kennedy Regiment and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1912.

Charles enlisted into the army to serve in the Great War on the 1St of April 1916 as a Lieutenant. He proceeded overseas from Sydney to Davenport, England in mid-May 1916 and arrived in late July 1916. After a short stay in England, he was sent to the Western Front with the 41st Battalion in late November 1916 and was promoted to Captain in December 1916.

During his service, Charles was awarded the Military Cross in June 1918, his citation reads -

“For continuous good service and devotion to duty. He left Australia with the 41st Battalion in May, 1916, as Adjutant, and served in that capacity until about April, 1917, when he was given command of a Company.

As O/C Company he has more than once displayed great courage and powers of leadership.

He has taken part in the following engagements – MESSINES, WARNETON (two occasions) and October 10th at YPRES.

He has only been away on two occasions for short periods, once being gassed and once through illness.

During the past six months he has repeatedly by personal example stimulated the under him and has at all times shown total disregard of personal safety. He is also most energetic and attentive to his duties when out on the line.”

He was later awarded a Bar to his Military Cross in late 1918, his citation reads - 

“For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.

On the 8th August, 1918, during the attack on the enemy’s position East of HAMEL, Captain FRENCH showed great determination and qualities of leadership throughout.

With his Company Sergeant-Major and another man he attacked a Battery of 4.2 in guns, which were strongly defended. He personally shot the Officer who was defending and captured the others and the Battery.

He also exhibited great bravery in attacking the many machine gun position encountered during the advance.”

Charles returned to Australia and his appointment in the Australian Imperial Force was terminated in December 1919. He returned to his pre–Great War militia and was placed on the list of retired officers in March 1922.

He resumed his teaching career and married Pearl Constance Vera Hunt Paten on the 7th of September 1923. Pearl also served in Australia during the Great War and briefly overseas at the end of the War with Army Massage Service from November 1915 – April 1919 with the rank of Staff Nurse.

 Pearl in her military uniform circa WW1

Out the outbreak of the Second Worl War, Charles re-enlisted on the 10th of October 1939 and was posted to a recruiting training depot. He was promoted to temporary Major in 1940 and the rank was made substantive in 1942. He was discharged in September 1944. His nephew Corporal Charles Archibald Amos was awarded the Military Medal in 1941 for his reconnaissance efforts before the Battle of Bardia.

 The Telegraph, Page 4, Friday 13th of Oct 1939

In November 1944, he fought off a fire that threatened an ammunition dump, near Brisbane, this action was noted in the “The Courier Mail, Wednesday 15th of November 1944, Page 3, Fire Near Bomb Dump” –

“An Australian officer, Major C.W.S. French, collapsed yesterday afternoon after fighting alone a grass fire which threatened a dump containing bombs of from 250lb to 2000lb, near Brisbane.

The fire approached close to his house.

He was overcome by smoke and exhaustion when firemen and Seabees arrived, and he received treatment from a doctor.

A gusty wind quickly swept the fire toward the dump, but it was checked by firemen and Seabees.”

There is little information about Charle’s life post his World War Two service, he continued his work with the 41st Battalion association for which he was the president for a time during the interbellum years. His wife died on the 26th of November 1970. Charles died six years later on the 20th of July 1976.

References –

Pearl Constance Paten: Australian Army Massage Service WWI | State Library of Queensland (slq.qld.gov.au)

NLA Trove Website

NAA Website

AWM Website

QLD BDM Website

S Cox, PM, Oct 2024

Son of Charles Jubilee Hill FRENCH and Famaono nee McLEAN of Lee Street, Charters, Towers, Queensland

Military Cross

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165
Date: 24 October 1918

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. With two men he attacked a battery of 4.2 in guns, and personally shot the officer and captured the others of the battery. He also exhibited great courage in attacking the many machine gun positions encountered during the advance.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 4 March 1919