Francis Robert Dynes

Born 25 May 1892 - Died 26 Sept 1916

Service number: WWI 12/336 AWMM
Also known as: Frank Dynes AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: WW1 Sergeant AWMM Auckland Infantry Regiment AWMM
War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

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Wars and conflicts

War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
Campaign: 1915-1916 AWMM Gallipoli AWMM
1914-1919 AWMM Western Front AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Service number: WWI 12/336 AWMM
Military service: Territorials - B. Company, 6th (Hauraki) Regiment AWMM
Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers: —

Military decorations

Medals and Awards: 1914-1915 Star AWMM
British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
Victory Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Military training: Alexandra Park, Auckland AWMM
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Enlistment: WW1 11 Aug 1914 AWMM
Age 22 AWMM
Unknown/Civilian AWMM
WW1 Factory hand/Civilian AWMM
Age on enlistment: —
Occupation before enlistment: —

Embarkations

Embarkation details: WW1 16 Oct 1914-03 Dec 1914 AWMM
HMNZT 8 or HMNZT 12 AWMM Vessel was Star of India or Waimana AWMM Corporal/Military AWMM Auckland Infantry Battalion AWMM Main Body AWMM
WW1 01 Apr 1916 AWMM
HMNZT 49 or HMNZT 50 AWMM Vessel was Tahiti or Maunganui AWMM Sergeant AWMM 11th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, A Company AWMM New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM

Medical history

Medical notes: Height, Unknown Period AWMM
5 feet 10 1/2 inches AWMM
Weight, Unknown Period AWMM
155 pounds AWMM
Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Light blue AWMM
Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Brown AWMM
Complexion, Unknown Period AWMM
Fair AWMM
Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Gunshot wound (right thigh). AWMM
Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Admitted 15 General Hospital, Alexandria, Egyptian Hospital, Pont de Loubbeh, Cairo. AWMM
Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Admitted 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, with Scabies, 20 July 1916. AWMM
Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Transferred to 50 Casualty Clearing Station, 20 July 1916. AWMM
Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Reported to be slightly wounded in action at Armentieres on 13 August 1916, but remained on duty. AWMM
Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

Last rank: WW1 Sergeant AWMM
Auckland Infantry Regiment AWMM
Last rank: —

Biographical information

Francis Dynes was the eldest son of William Dynes, of Matatoki. His brother, William Dynes, also served in France.

The following extracts are taken from newspaper cuttings (no dates available). The originals are in the possession of the Dynes family:

"Sergeant Frank Dynes, who was killed in action on September 26, was the eldest son of Mr Wm Dynes, of Matatoki. His age was 24 years, and he was born at Thames, and brought up at Puriri. He left with the Main Body, and was wounded at Gallipoli. After returning home he left again with one of the reinforcements drafts, and was wounded the second time in France. After again recovering he met his death in the firing-line. His only brother, W. Dynes, who enrolled three times before he was finally accepted, is now serving in France."

"In fond and loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergeant Francis R. Dynes, who was killed in action in the Somme Battle, Sept. 26th, 1916.

Only the grave of a hero,

Only a mound of earth

Far from the Land of the Kauri,

The spot that gave him birth.

But in the cause of the Empire

He answered his country's call,

And in the field of far-off France,

He gave his life - his all.

Inserted by his sorrowing parents, sisters, and brother."

"DYNES - In fond and loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergeant Francis R. Dynes, who was killed in action in the Somme battle, September 26, 1916.

In memories he lives with us always.

The battle was not of their making.

And was was never their plan;

Yet, all that is sweet forsaking,

They marched to it, man by man.

It was either to smite or be smitten.

There's no other choice to-day.

And they live, as befits the Anzac,

Or they die, as the Anzac may.

Inserted by his sorrowing parents, sisters and brother."

"DYNES - In proud and loving memory of our dear brother, Sergeant F.R. Dynes, of the Sixth Hauraki Company, Main Body, who was killed in action at the Soome on September 26, 1916; aged 24 years.

One of the best, a loving brother

A friend both kind and true.

So dearly loved, so sadly missed

By all the friends he knew.

Nobly he did his duty

And answered his country's call;

Somewhere in France, on the battlefield,

He gave his life - his all.

Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, N. and E. Brown."

The following story also appeared in the newspaper:

'A story of a faithful dog. A valuable gun dog met his death in Paeroa last week by being run over by a motor-car. He was not killed right out, but succumbed to the injuries after a few days. The animal's name was "Shot". Everyone knew him, more especially children, who always met him with a pat on the back. "Shot" would not have an obituary notice only for the fact that there was a history attached to his career. He was originally owned by Frank Dynes, one-time employed at the local dairy factory. Frank, on enlisting in the early stages of the war, left his dog with some lady friends for safe custody. After a comparatively short service his master was wounded and was sent back to Paeroa. He, however, gradually improved, and, like a true Briton, proffered his services again for active service, and he once more sought the battlefront. This time, after a brief period, he met his death through a bursting shell. His lady friends claimed the animal of the true and brave soldier. "Shot" was well cared for in memory of his dead master. There are not many who have returned invalided from the horrors of war who volunteered service a second time as did the late Frank Dynes, whose parents reside at Matatoki. He has found "his" Excelsior.'

The Auckland Museum Library's manuscripts collection also holds two field service postcards, which allowed a soldier no writing space, only a series of options from which to choose. Both cards are addressed to Mrs E.A. Brown, Matatoki, Thames (Dynes' sister). Dyne indicated on his card, dated 27 July 1916, that he had received no mail from his sister for some time. On 6 September 1916, the card acknowledges receipt of a letter. [Ref. MS 2002/202]. Dynes' 1914-15 Star, in its original box, his identity tag, a coloured postcard from Cologne and a New Zealand Railway pass are also part of the collection. Some of the items havedigital copies attached to this record.

Embarked from Suez, Egypt, aboard SS Tahiti on 7 August 1915, disembarking at New Zealand on 11 September 1915.

Reported for duty and joined the 11th Reinforcements on 3 March 1916.

Embarked for a second time from New Zealand aboard SS Maunganui on 2 April 1916, arriving at Suez, Egypt, on 3 May 1916. Embarked from Alexandria aboard SS Caledonia for France on 10 May 1916. Rejoined 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment, on 22 June 1916, at Armentieres.

Next of Kin: Mr W. Dynes, Matatoki, Thames (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM

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Francis Robert Dynes