Age: 29
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 4th Bn.
Honors: Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Son of Philip John and Johanna Albertina Steele, of Grange Rd., Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His brothers Philip John Rupert and Norman Leslie also fell.
CAPTAIN FREDERICK WILBERFORCE ALEXANDER STEELE, 4th BATTN. ROYAL FUSILIERS, who was killed in action on the 26th or 27th October, 1914, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Steele, of Normanhurst, Kew, Melbourne, Australia. He had at first been reported, in December 1914 as wounded and missing, and had been present at the Battle of Mons. Our first clue about Frederick STEELE was a record of him being on the electoral role in Victoria, Australia in 1914. This did not seem too helpful as it seemed likely to be incorrect given that the Frederick STEELE that we were tracking was an officer in a Regular Battalion and not likely to have been in Australia - however this record was proved correct. He was a member of the MCC - not the Marylebone Cricket Club but the Melbourne Cricket Club in Victoria and he is mentioned in a publication by that club in 1998 as follows; Born in 1885, the eldest son of Philip John and Albertine Steele, of Normanhurst, Denmark Street, Kew. Educated at Melbourne Grammar School 1899-1901. Lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery in 1905 before transferring to the British Army and serving at Jubbulpore in India. In August 1914, he went to France with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Served at Mons. A few weeks later he was wounded, but quickly rejoined the Battalion. He was killed while leading an attack at Neuve Chapelle on October 26, 1914. Mentioned In Despatches. He was the first MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) Member to lose his life in the War. So he was an Australian serving in the British Army, and he was twice Mentioned in Despatches. The 4/Royal Fusiliers were involved in trying to stem the German breakthrough at Neuve Chapelle and then in the improvised counter attack that regained the village on 26th October 1914. Nearly 200 O/R and 8 officers of a much depleted battalion were casualties (including Frederick STEELE). The following is an extract from a letter written by Captain Steele's Commanding Officer: He was leading a night attack through a village when he was shot, and death appears to have been instantaneous. Sergeant Woodcock was close by when your son was hit, and, though he got to him at once, he says he was undoubtedly dead. I cannot say how highly we all thought of your son. He was equal to the best officer I have ever met, and I had undoubted confidence in him. I had already recommended him for special distinction, and hope that some mark of appreciation in the shape of a posthumous honour may yet be conferred on him. I also brought him personally to the notice of Sir John French, who congratulated him on his distinguished service. And the Adjutant of his battalion wrote: Your son was one of the very best officers I have ever seen, always cheery and energetic, and most capable. The Colonel, I know, had the very highest opinion of him. For his services in the war Captain Steele was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches of the 5th October, 1914, and 14th January, 1915. Captain Steele, who was unmarried, was a member of the Junior Army and Navy Club. His three brothers all served in the war. He was born on the 12th September, 1885, and was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at Messrs. Carlyle and Gregson's, London. He received his commission in the Royal Fusiliers from the Commonwealth Military Forces in July, 1907, becoming Lieutenant in April, 1910. His promotion to Captain, to date from the 13th December, 1914, was gazetted on the 1st March, 1915. Sources; MELBOURNE CRICKET CLUB: MCC HONOUR ROLL- Alf Batchelder 1998. Official History Military Operations France & Belgium 1914 Vol II
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 4th Bn.
Honors: Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Son of Philip John and Johanna Albertina Steele, of Grange Rd., Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His brothers Philip John Rupert and Norman Leslie also fell.
CAPTAIN FREDERICK WILBERFORCE ALEXANDER STEELE, 4th BATTN. ROYAL FUSILIERS, who was killed in action on the 26th or 27th October, 1914, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Steele, of Normanhurst, Kew, Melbourne, Australia. He had at first been reported, in December 1914 as wounded and missing, and had been present at the Battle of Mons. Our first clue about Frederick STEELE was a record of him being on the electoral role in Victoria, Australia in 1914. This did not seem too helpful as it seemed likely to be incorrect given that the Frederick STEELE that we were tracking was an officer in a Regular Battalion and not likely to have been in Australia - however this record was proved correct. He was a member of the MCC - not the Marylebone Cricket Club but the Melbourne Cricket Club in Victoria and he is mentioned in a publication by that club in 1998 as follows; Born in 1885, the eldest son of Philip John and Albertine Steele, of Normanhurst, Denmark Street, Kew. Educated at Melbourne Grammar School 1899-1901. Lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery in 1905 before transferring to the British Army and serving at Jubbulpore in India. In August 1914, he went to France with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Served at Mons. A few weeks later he was wounded, but quickly rejoined the Battalion. He was killed while leading an attack at Neuve Chapelle on October 26, 1914. Mentioned In Despatches. He was the first MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) Member to lose his life in the War. So he was an Australian serving in the British Army, and he was twice Mentioned in Despatches. The 4/Royal Fusiliers were involved in trying to stem the German breakthrough at Neuve Chapelle and then in the improvised counter attack that regained the village on 26th October 1914. Nearly 200 O/R and 8 officers of a much depleted battalion were casualties (including Frederick STEELE). The following is an extract from a letter written by Captain Steele's Commanding Officer: He was leading a night attack through a village when he was shot, and death appears to have been instantaneous. Sergeant Woodcock was close by when your son was hit, and, though he got to him at once, he says he was undoubtedly dead. I cannot say how highly we all thought of your son. He was equal to the best officer I have ever met, and I had undoubted confidence in him. I had already recommended him for special distinction, and hope that some mark of appreciation in the shape of a posthumous honour may yet be conferred on him. I also brought him personally to the notice of Sir John French, who congratulated him on his distinguished service. And the Adjutant of his battalion wrote: Your son was one of the very best officers I have ever seen, always cheery and energetic, and most capable. The Colonel, I know, had the very highest opinion of him. For his services in the war Captain Steele was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches of the 5th October, 1914, and 14th January, 1915. Captain Steele, who was unmarried, was a member of the Junior Army and Navy Club. His three brothers all served in the war. He was born on the 12th September, 1885, and was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at Messrs. Carlyle and Gregson's, London. He received his commission in the Royal Fusiliers from the Commonwealth Military Forces in July, 1907, becoming Lieutenant in April, 1910. His promotion to Captain, to date from the 13th December, 1914, was gazetted on the 1st March, 1915. Sources; MELBOURNE CRICKET CLUB: MCC HONOUR ROLL- Alf Batchelder 1998. Official History Military Operations France & Belgium 1914 Vol II
Age: 29
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 4th Bn.
Honors: Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Son of Philip John and Johanna Albertina Steele, of Grange Rd., Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His brothers Philip John Rupert and Norman Leslie also fell.
CAPTAIN FREDERICK WILBERFORCE ALEXANDER STEELE, 4th BATTN. ROYAL FUSILIERS, who was killed in action on the 26th or 27th October, 1914, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Steele, of Normanhurst, Kew, Melbourne, Australia. He had at first been reported, in December 1914 as wounded and missing, and had been present at the Battle of Mons. Our first clue about Frederick STEELE was a record of him being on the electoral role in Victoria, Australia in 1914. This did not seem too helpful as it seemed likely to be incorrect given that the Frederick STEELE that we were tracking was an officer in a Regular Battalion and not likely to have been in Australia - however this record was proved correct. He was a member of the MCC - not the Marylebone Cricket Club but the Melbourne Cricket Club in Victoria and he is mentioned in a publication by that club in 1998 as follows; Born in 1885, the eldest son of Philip John and Albertine Steele, of Normanhurst, Denmark Street, Kew. Educated at Melbourne Grammar School 1899-1901. Lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery in 1905 before transferring to the British Army and serving at Jubbulpore in India. In August 1914, he went to France with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Served at Mons. A few weeks later he was wounded, but quickly rejoined the Battalion. He was killed while leading an attack at Neuve Chapelle on October 26, 1914. Mentioned In Despatches. He was the first MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) Member to lose his life in the War. So he was an Australian serving in the British Army, and he was twice Mentioned in Despatches. The 4/Royal Fusiliers were involved in trying to stem the German breakthrough at Neuve Chapelle and then in the improvised counter attack that regained the village on 26th October 1914. Nearly 200 O/R and 8 officers of a much depleted battalion were casualties (including Frederick STEELE). The following is an extract from a letter written by Captain Steele's Commanding Officer: He was leading a night attack through a village when he was shot, and death appears to have been instantaneous. Sergeant Woodcock was close by when your son was hit, and, though he got to him at once, he says he was undoubtedly dead. I cannot say how highly we all thought of your son. He was equal to the best officer I have ever met, and I had undoubted confidence in him. I had already recommended him for special distinction, and hope that some mark of appreciation in the shape of a posthumous honour may yet be conferred on him. I also brought him personally to the notice of Sir John French, who congratulated him on his distinguished service. And the Adjutant of his battalion wrote: Your son was one of the very best officers I have ever seen, always cheery and energetic, and most capable. The Colonel, I know, had the very highest opinion of him. For his services in the war Captain Steele was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches of the 5th October, 1914, and 14th January, 1915. Captain Steele, who was unmarried, was a member of the Junior Army and Navy Club. His three brothers all served in the war. He was born on the 12th September, 1885, and was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at Messrs. Carlyle and Gregson's, London. He received his commission in the Royal Fusiliers from the Commonwealth Military Forces in July, 1907, becoming Lieutenant in April, 1910. His promotion to Captain, to date from the 13th December, 1914, was gazetted on the 1st March, 1915. Sources; MELBOURNE CRICKET CLUB: MCC HONOUR ROLL- Alf Batchelder 1998. Official History Military Operations France & Belgium 1914 Vol II
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 4th Bn.
Honors: Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Son of Philip John and Johanna Albertina Steele, of Grange Rd., Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His brothers Philip John Rupert and Norman Leslie also fell.
CAPTAIN FREDERICK WILBERFORCE ALEXANDER STEELE, 4th BATTN. ROYAL FUSILIERS, who was killed in action on the 26th or 27th October, 1914, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Steele, of Normanhurst, Kew, Melbourne, Australia. He had at first been reported, in December 1914 as wounded and missing, and had been present at the Battle of Mons. Our first clue about Frederick STEELE was a record of him being on the electoral role in Victoria, Australia in 1914. This did not seem too helpful as it seemed likely to be incorrect given that the Frederick STEELE that we were tracking was an officer in a Regular Battalion and not likely to have been in Australia - however this record was proved correct. He was a member of the MCC - not the Marylebone Cricket Club but the Melbourne Cricket Club in Victoria and he is mentioned in a publication by that club in 1998 as follows; Born in 1885, the eldest son of Philip John and Albertine Steele, of Normanhurst, Denmark Street, Kew. Educated at Melbourne Grammar School 1899-1901. Lieutenant in the Australian Field Artillery in 1905 before transferring to the British Army and serving at Jubbulpore in India. In August 1914, he went to France with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Served at Mons. A few weeks later he was wounded, but quickly rejoined the Battalion. He was killed while leading an attack at Neuve Chapelle on October 26, 1914. Mentioned In Despatches. He was the first MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club) Member to lose his life in the War. So he was an Australian serving in the British Army, and he was twice Mentioned in Despatches. The 4/Royal Fusiliers were involved in trying to stem the German breakthrough at Neuve Chapelle and then in the improvised counter attack that regained the village on 26th October 1914. Nearly 200 O/R and 8 officers of a much depleted battalion were casualties (including Frederick STEELE). The following is an extract from a letter written by Captain Steele's Commanding Officer: He was leading a night attack through a village when he was shot, and death appears to have been instantaneous. Sergeant Woodcock was close by when your son was hit, and, though he got to him at once, he says he was undoubtedly dead. I cannot say how highly we all thought of your son. He was equal to the best officer I have ever met, and I had undoubted confidence in him. I had already recommended him for special distinction, and hope that some mark of appreciation in the shape of a posthumous honour may yet be conferred on him. I also brought him personally to the notice of Sir John French, who congratulated him on his distinguished service. And the Adjutant of his battalion wrote: Your son was one of the very best officers I have ever seen, always cheery and energetic, and most capable. The Colonel, I know, had the very highest opinion of him. For his services in the war Captain Steele was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches of the 5th October, 1914, and 14th January, 1915. Captain Steele, who was unmarried, was a member of the Junior Army and Navy Club. His three brothers all served in the war. He was born on the 12th September, 1885, and was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at Messrs. Carlyle and Gregson's, London. He received his commission in the Royal Fusiliers from the Commonwealth Military Forces in July, 1907, becoming Lieutenant in April, 1910. His promotion to Captain, to date from the 13th December, 1914, was gazetted on the 1st March, 1915. Sources; MELBOURNE CRICKET CLUB: MCC HONOUR ROLL- Alf Batchelder 1998. Official History Military Operations France & Belgium 1914 Vol II
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