(The image shows the Commanding Officers and Officers of No. 3 Squadron, pictured in 1917. Tarrant is on the far right of the back row.)
Frank Tarrant from 135 Westgarth Street, Northcote was one in our files that served the country outside of the A.I.F. and just one or two that died as a result of aerial combat – or was it “friendly fire”?
After serving for around ten months with the 4th Field Artillery, Tarrant reached the rank of Brigade Sergeant Major before being selected to train as an observer with the Australian Flying Corps in April, 1917. On graduating as an Observer, he was appointed Second Lieutenant in the A.F.C. in June and to full Lieutenant in September.
Although no official account of his death remains in the National Archives, the official history of Australia’s involvement in the Great War suggests Tarrant was flying over enemy lines directing a British artillery barrage when his aircraft exploded – there were no enemy planes in the vicinity and no anti-aircraft fire, the history concluding that Tarrant’s craft was probably hit by one of the British shells.
Link to the history of Francis Joseph Tarrant
Link to ozsportshistory.com downloads for WW1
I am Franks great nephew being the grandson of his older sister Mary. She always called him Frankie. She named her first born son Francis (Frank) in his memory. I was given Frankie’s wallet which has his name written inside it I presume written by him. Frankie should have been in England training to be a pilot but his departure was delayed and he and his pilot were unfortunately killed while on a mission. The family has always believed that they were brought down by friendly fire.