Frederick John Griffin was born in Evercreech, Somerset, England in 1895 and married Priscilla Millicent Thomas on 25 October 1913 in Gordonvale, Queensland.  Their son Frederick William was born 2 February 1914 followed by their daughter Eva Millicent on 2 April 1916.

Frederick enlisted in the 9th Battalion on 6 August 1915.  He was 21 years 11 months of age, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 136 pounds.  He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and black hair and his religion was Church of England.

There is no record of when and where he left Australia.  His record commences with him joining the 49th Battalion on 27 February 1916.  The Australian War Memorial records “the 49th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 27 February 1916 as part of the “doubling” of the AIF.  Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 9th  Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia.  Reflecting the composition of the 9th  the 49th was predominantly composed of men from Queensland.  The battalion became part of the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division.”  This is consistent with Pte Griffin’s record which notes him in the 9th Battalion prior to the 49th.

After a few days in hospital suffering tonsillitis he rejoined his unit and proceeded from Alexandria, Egypt to Marseilles, France where he again spent time in hospital sick.  He was transferred to Brighton England with a fractured ankle and, on recovery, joined No. 1 Con Depot at Perham Downs on 14 September 1916.  He was again admitted to Bulford Military Hospital suffering with pneumonia then transferred to Tidworth Hospital in a serious condition on 14 December.

He returned to France on the Princess Clementine from Folkestone, Kent, marching in at Etaples, France rejoining the 49th Battalion on 21 January 1917.

He was killed in action on 28 January 1917 and is buried at Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Picardie, France.