LE MAISTRE, Lieutenant-Colonel Frank William, DSO MiD (Part B)

LE MAISTRE, Lieutenant-Colonel Frank William, DSO MiD (Part B)

5th Battalion, AIF

By Robert Simpson

 

In the 1919 electoral roll, he was still living at 29 Charnwood Road, St. Kilda and had the same occupation, that of ironmonger. Also in 1919, he married Vera Dale Anderson. The marriage notice in The Argus of Wednesday 17^th March 1920 read: “LE MAISTRE – ANDERSON.-On the 25^th October, at the Collins street Baptist Church, by the Rev. T. E. Ruth, Lieut.-Colonel Frank William Le Maistre, D.S.O., (ex. 5^th Batt., A.I.F.), eldest son of the late Captain J. F. Le Maistre and Mrs. Le Maistre , of St. Kilda, to Vera Dale, only daughter of A. R. Anderson, Esq, of “Mount View”, Lockhart, N.S.W. Present address, 141 Ormond esplanade, Elwood.” No other details can be found on Vera, but she ended up living in Old Colonist Homes in 1977 (the last recorded address for her). It is a complex of self-contained homes for those elderly who have fallen on hard times, and was set up with that goal in 1870, and is still run as a charitable provision of housing for the elderly. They had two sons (that information is known about), Ian (born about 1921) and Ivor Russell Le Maistre (born 18^th November 1924 at Ulverstone, North Road, Brighton and dying on 13^th December 1944). The family address at the birth of Ivor was Kerami, Esplanade, Edwood.

 

He gave details on how he had been ill in the 1920’s and 1930’s, what he had done to alleviate his conditions, by seeing Chemists and Doctors and how it had affected his work with some sick days off. His employer also gave details of his work and time off due to illness. There were also letters from people who knew him and his doctor stating how bad his health was and that he suffered from collapses periodically.

 

Frank signed for his 1914-15 Star on 24^th February 1920 in Melbourne, and for his British War Medal and Victory Medal on 2^nd June 1922. His oak leaves were sent out on 26^th August 1920.

 

In the 1924 and 1925 rolls, they were living at 141 Ormond Esplanade in Elsternwick South and he was a traveller. By the 1928 roll, they had moved to 34 Glyndon Road in Camberwell and he was listed as a commercial traveller. The details were the same for the 1931, 1933 and 1934 rolls. He is listed in Who’s Who in Australia in the 1935 edition on page 285. The entry lists his father, his birth; and that he was educated in St. Kilda, he served with the AIF in the Great War from 1914 to 1916, he was a Major and was awarded the DSO and MiD. Frank was a warehouseman of Melbourne, his address then was 34 Glyndon Road Camberwell in Melbourne. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club in Melbourne. By the 1936 roll, they had moved to 25 Celia Street in Camberwell and he was a traveller. The details were the same in the 1937, 1939, 1943 and 1946 rolls. On 2^nd August 1942, his mother Mary passed away in St. Kilda. All the details were the same for the 1949 roll.

 

Frank at front left.

In 1931, Frank applied for a pension for himself, his wife and two children. Their address was 34 Glyndon Road Camberwell. He claimed that he was suffering from stomach and nervous conditions due to War Service. He stated that prior to enlistment his health was perfect and he indulged in all kinds of sports. Extracts from two referees who had known him quite a while, show he had temperate habits and his general health was good prior to enlistment. In 1931 he was granted a part pension. Reports continued through the 1930’s with details of how bad his health was, but there was no change to his pension and his appeal was disallowed. Frank had detailed how he stuck to prescribed medication and diet, but he was getting worse and it affected his employment. He also had eyesight problems, but they were rejected also as being due to war service. In 1939, he also applied for a pension for bladder and kidney problems, and they were also rejected as being due to war service. He also applied in 1943 for a duodenal ulcer he had developed, with even his wife writing letters stating how the condition had worsened and had been due to war service. Again, it was rejected, even on appeal. In 1944, it was approved and also a right femoral hernia, for which he was given a truss. According to Frank, he developed the hernia after a severe bout of vomiting, which he stated was caused by the ulcer.

 

A report showed that he was accepted for neurasthenia (shell shock) as being due or aggravated by war service, but was rejected on all of the following:- chronic appendicitis, myopia and early senile cataract, enlarged prostate, probable right renal calculus and duodenal ulcer. There is quite a list of tests and results in the 1940’s and early 50’s and discussions with doctors listing his problems. While on a train with Vera going to Mildura in 1947 at Christmas time, they were involved in a train accident, which shook him up and injured his wife. In mid-1951 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer with secondaries in the spine. Even they were rejected. His records list the numerous tests that he had done for the various ailments and discussions on the results of those tests and if they were attributable to the war.

On 2^nd October 1951, Frank passed away in the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne. According to his records he “died on the 2^nd inst., post operation”. The death notice added he was “loved husband of Vera, and loving father of Ian (Newcastle), Ivor (Bub, deceased. R.A.A.F.) – Resting.” His funeral was held on 4^th October 1951 at 10.30am at le Pine’s Funeral Chapel (opposite the Town Hall) at 355 Burwood Road Hawthorn. He was then taken to the Springvale Crematorium, where he was cremated and the ashes were scattered. After his death, his wife applied for acceptance of his death as being caused or

contributed by war service, so she could get an increase in her pension. The RSSAILA also helped her with her application. It too was rejected. All the Repatriation Department sent her was a bereavement letter. She was still able to get a pension at the current rate she was receiving, but not a War Widow’s Pension. Her appeal was also rejected.

 

Ernest Dale le Maistre married in 1907 and lived in Victoria until his death on 10^th October 1965. Elsie Mary le Maistre did not marry and lived in Victoria in St. Kilda, where she passed away on 14^th February 1964. Victor Harold Jack Le Maistre also served in WW1. He was previously a joiner. On 16^th October 1917, he joined the 15^th September Reinforcements of the Australian Flying Corps as 2^nd Class Air Mechanic 2341. He previously served in the 50^th Battalion Cadets at St. Kilda for 4 years and 7^th Engineers Commonwealth Forces for 2 years in Melbourne. After going to England and being involved with Training Schools there, he went to France on 17^th April 1918. He worked with 3^rd Squadron. After the war, he returned to Australia in May 1919. Victor was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. He passed away on 4^th June 1979 in South Oakleigh, Victoria.

Ian Le Maistre got engaged to Joy Nash, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs J Nash of Newcastle in October 1945. In 1947, Joy gave birth to a son in Newcastle, but he only lived 3 days. They also had a daughter in 1952, but again she only lived for 2 days. In 1953 they had another daughter in Newcastle. No other details are known about the family.

Ivor Russell Le Maistre joined the RAAF on 1^st January 1943 and died on 13^th December 1944 as a Flight Sergeant 430177 with 31^st Squadron. (The Roll of Honour at the AWM says he was with 5^th Operation Training at Williamstown). His death was accidental at Williamstown. Ivor was in Beaufighter A19-5 when it crashed. Ivor had been given duel instruction in Beaufighters at night, and on that night was doing his first solo flight. He was authorised to do that by his Officer Commanding, who had told him that the flight was to be of 1 hour with 2 landings. At 10pm, he was given permission to land, but approached very low and when about half a mile from the aerodrome perimeter, the plane crashed into the wood and began to burn. When the Medical Officer and others proceeded to the area, they found the plane completely broken up and burning. His badly burnt body was recovered. An accident report stated “During non-operational training flight aircraft hit trees on approaching the flare path.” The funeral was held at Sandgate War Cemetery on 16^th December 1944 at 9.30am. The probable cause of the crash was unknown. He is remembered at Sandgate War Cemetery in Newcastle in Plot K, Row D Grave 2. His effects were collated in late 1944 and passed onto his father. On 17^th February 1945, Frank wrote to the Secretary of the Air Board at Victoria Barracks, thanking him for the prompt and efficient service of the department which enabled him and his wife to attend the funeral of their son at Newcastle. He also singled out three people for special acknowledgement. The Argus of Friday 22^nd December 1944 had his notice under deaths on active service from his parents and his brother, saying “Proud of you, son” and “Good scout, Bub.” Other entries in newspapers over the next week or so included he was a loved friend of Merton Whitemore, his last words – “If I’ve had it, no tears, Mum”, a tribute in the memory of a great pal – remembered by Ian Graham (Mordialloc) and also dearly loved friend of Graham family, your memory will be in our hearts.

 

Ivor is in the middle row, third from the right.

Wreckage of Beaufighter A19-5

Photo from RAAF Court of Inquiry – December 14, 1944

Frank’s medals are Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory Medal with MiD and Victorian Volunteer Long and Efficient Service Medal.