Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Francis William Castley, 29, was born in Sydney and was married to Annie Olivia Castley of 36 Beatrice Street, Auburn. They did not have any children. He was one of several Auburn Memorial men who signed up in the great surge of enlistment in Australia in July and August 1915. Castley stated he was a carpenter but declared he had not undergone an apprenticeship. For previous military experience, he stated he was a member of the Rockdale Rifle Club - 2 years.
Private Castley embarked on the Euripides in November 1915. He was too late for Gallipoli, but he must of arrived in Egypt before the end of the year as he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star.
Posted to the 4th Battalion Castley disembarked in Marseilles 30 March 1916 and entrained for the front in the north of France. He was killed in action four months later, on the first day of the Australian attack at Pozières. Castley’s body was never found and his name is inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
Francis Castley is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
- 1914-1915 Star
