accidentally drowned

Frederick was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1895 to John Simmons and Emma Jane Saunders.

Frederick was a public servant⁽³⁾ and a Lieutenant with the 56^th Infantry⁽³⁾ when he enlisted in the AIF, 3^rd Pioneer Battalion on the 22^nd of March 1916, aged 21. He was promoted to Sergeant in May before he embarked aboard the HMAT A62 Wandilla in June, disembarking at Plymouth, England in late July.

From September to October 1916 Frederick attended Officer Training School, Tidworth and was appointed Second Lieutenant in early November before proceeding to France. One of his duties was the censoring⁽⁴⁾ of other soldier's mail. Frederick was reported missing in action on the 29^th of December - last seen riding a bicycle beside the Lys River (Canal) from Armentieres to Houplines, France. His body was recovered from the river in February 1917.

One of his friends has written to say, that he went exploring, and was never seen again.

Source: The Bacchus Marsh Express 24 Mar 1917

He is buried Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, France .

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour, Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

1. Pioneer battalions differed from normal infantry in that they would be composed of a mixture of men who were experienced with picks and shovels and some who had skilled trades . A Pioneer battalion would also carry a range of technical stores that infantry would not.
2. He was not in the 14^th Battalion.
3. The Bacchus Marsh Express 10 Feb 1917
4. The Bacchus Marsh Express 24 Feb 1917