Private Francis Douglas Ernest Aloysius Asker, 6383, 8th Battalion, AIF was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 4th October 1917.
He enlisted on 14th August 1916, aged 24, his address being that of his father, W Asker, 618 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy, Victoria
He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 ‘Euripides’ on 11th September 1916. He was allocated to the 8th Battalion, 20th Reinforcements.
On New Years Day 1917, he was sent to hospital sick with Bronco, Catarrh and admitted to Middlesex War Hospital on 17th January 1917. After he was discharged from hospital he had a few weeks furlough before he was allocated to No 1 Com. Depot at Perham Downs.
He rejoined the 8th Battalion on 16th September 1917 and he was recommended and awarded the Military Medal for his work on 4th October 1917. The citation reads:
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near ZONNEBEKE east of YPRES, on 4th October, 1917, this man rushed a German Machine Gun and despite resistance killed the crew and put the gun out of action.'
He was gassed on 1st August 1918 and invalided to the U.K. 3 days later.
He returned home to Australia on 20th December 1918.
He had two brothers who both fought with the 24th Battalion, 5786 Pte. Gerald Alphonsus and 5787, Pte. Joseph Anthony, who both survived the war and returned to Australia.
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