Francis (Frank) Charles Sands (SN 529) was born at Steiglitz and was a 21 year old labourer when he enlisted on April 12th 1915. He embarked from Melbourne in May aboard the Ulysses and sailed to Egypt before joining the 22nd Infantry Battalion in France in March 1916. During the fighting at Pozieres, his gallantry earned for him the Military Medal 'For most conspicuous gallantry at MOUQUET QUARRY on the 26th August, 1916, when employed as runners and as guides to carrying parties. In both capacities these soldiers [SANDS, 1529 H.G. COOK, 2051 J. WRIGHT] displayed great pluck, and fearlessness in repeatedly crossing the enemy barrages, and in working under heavy machine gun fire. Their work as runners, is beyond praise.' On February 10th 1917 he suffered a gunshot wound to the face and was evacuated to hospital. He rejoined his unit three months later, but shortly after his return he was transferred to the 3rd Division Engineers with whom he served for the remainder of the war. He returned to Australia aboard the Kildonian Castle’ disembarked on May 7th 1919 and was discharged on July 6th.