Firefighter answers call of duty

AS a churchgoing firefighter and sportsman, Fred Self no doubt felt it was his duty to serve his country in World War I.

Born in Hobart in 1879, he was approaching his 39th birthday when he joined the 12th Battalion’s 27th reinforcements in December 1917.

He and his wife, Emily, lived at 62 Swanston St, New Town, with their children Thelma, Meryl, Madge and Reg.

Fred described himself as a labourer in his enlistment papers, but he was also a member of the Hobart Fire Brigade and was referred to as one of the “partially paid” firemen in a Mercury article in 1915. He was also a successful rower and cyclist, and attended the Salvation Army at New Town.

Fred left Australia on HMAT Nestor at the end of February 1918 and arrived in Liverpool, England, two months later.

After three months’ training, his unit was sent to France and joined his battalion on August 4, 1918. He immediately found himself in the thick of the Battle of Amiens, a major turning-point in the war.

The result was a decisive victory for the Allies and the start of the Hundred Days Offensive that led to the Armistice on November 11.

Fred did not live to see the Allied victory. He was killed in action on August 11, one week after joining his battalion.

He was buried in the Ridgeway British Cemetery, and was later reburied in the Heath Cemetery.

Private Frederick Augustus Self is remembered at tree 487 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on honour boards at New Town Primary School and the Hobart Town Hall.