FUSSELL, Frank Normanton
(Service number 10/3553)
| First Rank | Private | Last Rank | Captain |
|---|
Birth
| Date | 10 January 1879 | Place of Birth | Timaru |
|---|
Enlistment Information
| Date | 6 September 1915 | Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address at Enlistment | Stratford, New Zealand | ||
| Occupation | Dentist (working for self) | ||
| Previous Military Experience | |||
| Marital Status | Married | ||
| Next of Kin | Mrs M.F. Fuswell (wife), Stratford, Taranaki | ||
Military Service
| Served with | NZ Armed Forces | Served in | Army |
|---|
Embarkation Information
| Body on Embarkation | New Zealand Expeditionary Force | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit, Squadron, or Ship | New Zealand Dental Corps | ||
| Date | 26 April 1917 | ||
| Transport | HMNZT 83 Tofua | ||
| Embarked From | Destination | Plymouth, Devon | |
| Other Units Served With | B Coy 9th Reinforcements; New Zealand Medical Corps | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Unit Served With | New Zealand Dental Corps | ||
Military Awards
| Campaigns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Medals | British War Medal | ||
Award Circumstances and Date
No information
Prisoner of War Information
| Date of Capture | |
|---|---|
| Where Captured and by Whom | |
| Actions Prior to Capture | |
| PoW Serial Number | |
| PoW Camps | |
| Days Interned | |
| Liberation Date |
Death
| Date | Age | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of Death | Napier | ||
| Cause | |||
| Memorial or Cemetery | Park Island Cemetery | ||
| New Zealand Memorials | |||
Biographical Notes
Frank Normanton Fussell was the fourth son of Joseph Rawlings and Louisa Fussell, born in Timaru in 1879. Frank married Meta Frances O'Brien in 1917.
Frank, a dentist in civilian life for 28 years in Napier, served in the New Zealand Dental Corps. He initially served in New Zealand, joining B Coy, 9th Reinforcements on 6 September 1915 as a private. The following day he was promoted to Corporal, then Lance Sergeant. His skills as a dentist saw him transferred to the New Zealand Medical Corps two months later, on 9 November. Just under a month later, on 8 December, he his promoted from the ranks to Lieutenant was gazetted, now with the New Zealand Dental Corp, whom he served with for the remainder of his time in uniform. On 5 April 1917 Frank was made temporary Captain, with the rank being confirmed by gazette on 28 April.
On 26 April 1917 Frank embarked overseas on the transport ship HMNZT Tofua. He returned shortly after, on duty, on the Ionic, on 25 September, seemingly reduced back to the rank of Lieutenant. In New Zealand Frank’s rank seniority was returned, back to Captain, before he was struck off the strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and discharged on 15 October 1917. Frank had served in New Zealand for one year and 252 days, plus 153 days overseas, making a total service of two years and 40 days. For his service he was awarded the British War Medal.
Frank died in Napier on 3 November 1946. His obituary, published in the Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune on 4 November 1946, noted his business and personal interests. He had been a foundation member of the New Zealand Dental Association and was interested in “… all forms of sport, particularly bowling and golf.” He was survived by his wife, who was active in patriotic circles.
Sources
Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [31 March 2026]; Military Personnel Record, Archives New Zealand R16784477 [31 March 2026]; SCRoll web submission by J Macdonald, 15 March 2026.
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