Francis Joseph Sheahan

SHEAHAN, Francis Joseph- – – SPC 1907-1908

DoB:- – 1892, Carlton, VIC

Father:- – Michael Sheahan

Mother:- – Mary, nee Brody

Frank Sheahan was a boarder at St Patrick’s College from Lygon Street, Carlton. His brother Michael Bryan Philip Sheahan (SPC 1912) also enlisted for service in WWI.

There was a tribute to Frank in the College Annual of 1916-1917, updating the current SPC students about his war service -“

-‘Pte F J Sheahan enlisted in October 1914, and sailed with the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance on February 2nd 1915. He was in Gallipoli from June to November, when he was invalided to Malta. The last letter received from him stated that he was in France, and was in excellent health. May he continue so.’

Service No:- 950

Rank:- – Private, Gunner

Unit:- – 12th Field Ambulance

Francis Joseph Sheahan enlisted on 28 November 1914, aged 22 years and seven months. He was five feet, six and a half inches tall, with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and red hair. He was a single man, and his occupation was station bookkeeper.

Private Sheahan embarked at Melbourne on 2 February 1915 aboard the Clan McGillivray, en route to Alexandria. From Egypt he was dispatched to Gallipoli around 25 May 1915. He was hospitalised with diarrhoea in late September, but rejoined his unit on the Turkish Peninsula where he remained until the evacuation of Anzac troops in December 1915.

When he left Gallipoli, he was hospitalised again on Malta suffering from diphtheria. He spent some months recovering at Alexandria, Egypt before being fit enough to proceed to Marseilles in June 1916.

He had been ten days in France when he was charged on 20 June 1916 with the offence of drunkenness while on active service. He- had to- forfeit 14 days’ pay.

In April 1917, Private Sheahan was wounded in action, suffering gunshot wounds to his face and neck, his head, right arm and leg. He was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station, but died of his wounds on 18 April 1917. He was 25 years old. He was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery in France.

His effects were returned to his father, Michael Sheahan, and included a ten Franc note, unit colours, photo wallet, thermometer in case, cards, letters, photos, two German badges.