Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"CASUALTIES. DEATH BY POISON. 

The City Watchhouse authorities reported on Saturday evening that Dr. Stanley Verco had notified at 6.30 o'clock that Mr. Robert Henry Fry, of Blackburn street, Adelaide, who was removed to Parkwynd Hospital suffering from the effects, it was stated, of having swallowed an irritant, died that afternoon. Mr. H. D. Gell (Acting City Coroner) conducted an inquest at the hospital on Sunday. A verdict was returned that the deceased met his death by poison, self administered, while of unsound mind." - from the Adealide Register 23 Jun 1919 (nla.gov.au)

Robert Henry Fry was born on 6th August 1882 at Glenelg SA, the second of 5 children born to his parents Robert and Louisa Fry.  His older sister was Maud and his younger siblings were Louise, Victoria and Charles.  After completing his education Robert worked as a clerk and he served with the 9th Goldfields Regiment prior to WW1. 

Robert enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 27th November 1914 at Oaklands Camp SA aged 32.  He’s describe as being 5ft 7ins tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.  After completing his initial training at Oaklands Camp he proceeded to Morphettville Camp on 22nd January 1915.  He embarked from Melbourne on 6th February 1915 on HMAT Surada and disembarked at Suez, Egypt, on 22nd March 1915.  On 12th April 1915 he proceeded to join the 3rd Field Ambulance (3rd FA) aboard HMT Ionian at Mudros Bay, off Lemnos Island.  In preparation for the landings at Gallipoli, the Bearer Division of the 3rd FA with 3 Officers…Captains Conrick, (A Section), Fry (B Section) and McWhae (C Section)…plus 114 ranks had previously transhipped from HMS Nizam to HMT Ionian on 7th April.  On the 19th April 1915 they transhipped to HMT Suffolk then on the 21st, Captain Conrick fell ill so Captain Buchanan replaced him to take command of A Section.  On the 24th April 1915 the unit transhipped to the HMAT Devanha and then to the Destroyer HMS Ribble which arrived off shore of Anzac Cove in the early hours of the 25th April 1915.  The unit disembarked into row boats and went ashore under heavy fire at 4.30am with the first wave landing just north of Anzac Cove.  The following is a quote of Captain Buchanan’s from an article called “The Landing”:  “I don’t know what it was, shrapnel, maxim or rifle fire - I was frightened to look, but I was never so frightened in my life as when I had to stand up in the bow to dominate the men (to keep rowing)... I could feel the damned things hitting me all the time in my imagination, while we couldn’t see the other boats for the spouts of spray all around, and the men hit yelped and then whined and clawed the air as they died.”

Robert was wounded in the right shoulder on 7th August 1915 during August offensive, the day after his 33rd birthday.  He was evacuated on HMT Caledonia to Egypt where he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on 10th August 1915.  He was transferred 5 days later to the ANZAC Convalescent Depot at Helouan and then proceeded to Zeitoun Camp 3 days later.  He proceeded to Mustapha Camp at Alexandria on 30th August 1915 and embarked from there re-joining his unit at Gallipoli on 10th September 1915.  In early November he was admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Gallipoli with oedema of the legs and re-joined his unit a few days later.  He was evacuated with the troops from Gallipoli on 23rd December 1915 on HMT Caledonia and disembarked at Alexandria on 27th December 1915.  He proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir Camp where he remained until 27th March 1916 when he, together with the whole 3rd FA, embarked from Alexandria on HMT Kingstonian and disembarked at Marseilles, France, on 3rd April 1916.  On the voyage one of the men from his unit fell overboard while sleep walking and was drowned. 

Robert was promoted to Lance Corporal on 18th April 1916 and then to Corporal on 5th August 1916.  In August 1916 while the unit was at Berteaucourt, Robert was recommended for, and awarded, the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the following actions: “For conspicuous gallantry during operations when he constantly went out under heavy fire and dressed and carried back wounded men.  He remained on duty continuously for 48 hours exhibiting great devotion to duty.”  

He was presented this decoration at a Brigade Parade at Lavicogne by General Birdwood on 23rd August 1915. 

The unit moved to Buire in late October 1916 to take over the Corps Rest Station and on 11th November 1916 the camp was bombed by the enemy.  The following is an extract from the unit diary: “At 00.40 this morning an enemy aeroplane flying low, dropped 6 bombs on the 1st Anzac Rest Station.  Five patients were killed outright, thirty three wounded more or less seriously and three slightly.  Of the personnel at this station one was killed, four seriously wounded and one slightly wounded.  All of these belonged to No. 3 Australian Field Ambulance.  One bomb was dropped on the Orderly Room, destroying a number of the records of the station and of the unit.  Damage was done to four marquee tents and eight bell tents.  The distinguishing lamps were burning brightly at the time the attack was made.” 

After taking leave in late December he re-joined his unit at Ribemont in early January 1917.  Robert was promoted to Sergeant on 29th August 1917.  In late September 1917 the unit moved to Belgium to take over running the Divisional Rest Station at Wippenhoek.  While there Robert was recommended for, and awarded, the Military Medal for the following actions: “During the operations at Broodseinde Ridge, east of Ypres, on 4th October 1917 and succeeding days, Sergeant Fry was in charge of 3rd Australian Field Ambulance stretcher bearers who were engaged in clearing from the R.A.P.s. He organised and worked the bearers from Helles Relay Post and showed outstanding capability, personal bravery and resource in his efforts for the wounded and his own men. His work in organisation of the relays and in controlling the routes and method of evacuation under conditions of great difficulty and danger was of the utmost value. On several occasions he replaced bearers who were done up and assisted in carrying wounded through heavily shelled and most difficult country. His work in clearing the line and his fine example was specially spoken of by the Officers of the 1st Australian Field Ambulance, to whom the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance were attached.”

In early October 1918 Robert had temporary duty as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.  He then took leave to England and re-joined his unit in late October 1918 at L’Etoile, France.  He remained there till early December 1918 when he proceeded to the Australian General Base Depot at Le Havre where he embarked for England on 6th December 1918 for return to Australia.  He embarked from England on 14th December 1918 on HT Burmah and disembarked in Melbourne VIC on 29th January 1919.  He then proceeded to Adelaide.  He was discharged from the service on 14th April 1919. 

Less than 6 months after returning from the war Robert passed away on 21st June 1919 after swallowing poison.  The coroner determined that it was self-administered while of unsound mind.  He was privately interred at the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth SA on 23rd June 1919.  A very sad end to the life of an incredibly brave and highly decorated soldier.             

Robert Henry Fry was awarded for service in WW1 the Military Medal, Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 28th March 2023.