2/5 Australian General Hospital

Private Frank Leslie Hebbard

NX25232

 

Frank was born in Sale Victoria, on the 13 September 1920,and later his family moved to Five Dock in NSW. Frank was educated at Drummoyne Public School, but at the age of sixteen left school to work at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, studying Bio Chemistry. His tutor was Edgar Thompson -- later Major Edgar Thompson with the 2/5 AGH.

 

In 1938 at the age of eighteen Frank joined the 9th Field Ambulance Militia Unit, and was trained in Field Hospital procedures.In 1940 and the advent of World War 2, Frank at the age of twenty enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, and was attached to the 2/5 Australian General Hospital, and with Lieutenant Harry Prince was given the task of collecting and collating blood samples for the use of those troops who may be in need.

 

The 2/5 AGH Unit sailed out of Sydney Harbour on the 19 October 1940 for overseas duty. This resulted in the setting up of a 1200 bed working hospital at Ekali in Greece, but on the 27 April 1941was overrun by advancing German troops. Frank was one of those who remained with the hospital to treat the wounded who could not be evacuated. The hospital was moved to Kokkinia and finally closed down in December 1941.

 

Frank spent Christmas at Salonika and was then moved to Prisoner Of War camps at Lamsdorf and Stalag E3 - B 21 sub camp at Blechhammer. In mid 1944 he was transferred to Cosel, and in January was part of the Long March forced on them by the Germans to escape the advancing Russian Army. Finally in April 1945 Frank and the other prisoners were liberated by the advancing 45 Division American Army led by General George Patton.

 

Frank was discharged on 13 September 1945, after serving five years and two months with the Unit.