Historical information

Francis Davis was the only former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School to die during World War One.

"Francis Davis was accorded a full military funeral, firing party, bugler and pallbearers. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack and surmounted in several beautiful wreathes sent from his brother 2/A.M. E.H. Davis (A.F.C Leighterton), officer of the A.F.C. Leighterton, Gloucester, Cadets of A.F.C. and many other personal friends of the deceased. The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside, and the Rev. Major K.D. Norman C. of E. A.I.F. officiated. The grave was to be turfed and an oak cross erected by the A.I.F. London. Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral. (http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1858392, accessed 24 January 2014.)


According to Neil Leckie, Manager of the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum:
* Originally 12 – 14 year olds went to Junior Cadets attached to their school.
* From age 14 – 17 they were Senior Cadets attached to the local militia unit.
* After 1 July of the year a Cadet turned 18, the Cadet left the Senior Cadets and became a member of the Citizen Military Force.
* In October 1918 the AIF, Militia and Cadets were renamed to give some connection to the AIF battalion raised in the area.

Ballarat saw:
8th Australian Infantry Regiment comprising:
* 8th Battalion AIF renamed 1st Battalion 8th Australian Infantry Regiment
* 70th Infantry Militia renamed 2nd Battalion 8th Australian Infantry Regiment
* 70th Infantry Cadets renamed 3rd B, 8th Australian Infantry.

39th Australian Infantry Regiment comprising:
* 39th Battalion AIF renamed 1st Battalion 39th Australian Regiment
* 71st Infantry Militia renamed 2nd Bn, 39th Australian Infantry Regiment
* 71st Infantry Cadets renamed 3rd Bn, 39th Australian Infantry Regiment

Prior to the reorganisation in 1918 the 18th Brigade was the 70th, 71st and 73rd Infantry. It is thought that the 18th Brigade Cadet units in 1920 were those that came from the old:
* 69th Infantry (Geelong/Queenscliff)
* 70th Infantry (Ballarat/Colac)
* 71st Infantry (Ballarat West)
* 72nd Infantry Warrnambool)
* 73rd Infantry (NW Vic)

The next name change came in 1921!

Physical description

Black and white photograph of a group of school boys in army uniform. They are members of the Ballarat Junior Technical School Cadets.

Back Row: D.O. Taylor, Albert E. Williams, B. Burrows, J.B. Hobba
Standing: Francis Davis, Miller, A. Burge, P. [Peter] Chatham. J. Minster, H. Witter, H. Siemering
Kneeling: T.G. Wasley, Alan Riley, A.H. Hoskin. N.C. Carmichael, Harold G. Wakeling, T. Rees, W.H. Shattock, F.N. Gibbs
Front: S.J. Chambers, F.J. Procter, Charles H. Beanland