Frank James Blanchfield

Frank James Blanchfield was a resident of Redan.

History
Frank James Blanchfield was born in 1894 in Stawell, Victoria, where his father, Richard Blanchfield was serving as a policeman. When his father was transferred to the Redan Police Station, Blanchfield lived at the station in Skipton Street. He played football with the Redan Football Club

Blanchfield enlisted in the A.I.F. on 7 April 1915. He served in Gallipoli. He wrote a letter home to his parents, which was reprinted in the Ballarat Courier in November 1915: "NEWS OF BALLARAT BOYS. Writing to his parents at Redan from Gallipoli under date of 12th September, Pte F. Blanchfield, 24th Battalion, says:- 'I have been in the trenches a few times and have met a lot of Ballarat boys. Ernie Youdan is keeping alright and wishes to be remembered to you all; he is in the same battalion as Capt E. Kirby. I was very sorry to hear of poor Norman Kirby's death. I met Stewart Harrison on the boat, he has quite recovered from his wounds and is back again in the firing line. The boys were all pleased to see me, including Rueben Hooley: he is still keeping well. I received six letters the night we left Egypt; and am writing this in a hurry in my dug-out. Remember me kindly to all my friends."

He was mentioned in a letter written by Pte. E. J. Cannon from Egypt, published in the Ballarat Courier in March 1916: "I frequently come across lads from Ballarat. I met a couple of the boys from the Christian Brothers' School. Frank Blanchfield was one of them. He was four months on the Peninsula. He looks well, and is in fine condition."

He was sent to France where he was severely wounded in the Battle of Passchendaele on 6 October 1917 : "BALLARAT AND DISTRICT MEN. PRIVATE FRANK J. BLANCHFIELD. Mrs Blanchfield, of 117 Skipton street has been advised that her son, Pte. F. J. Blanchfield, has been wounded in action. The nature of the wounds is not stated."

After returning to Ballarat, he continued with his football, and was a member of the 1921 Redan team which won the premiership against North Ballarat.

Blanchfield was a mechanic, and later drove a taxi.

Blanchfield died in Ballarat on 24 May 1978.