Born on 21 April 1888 at Templecombe, Somersetshire, England. Enlisted 18 March 1915, accountant. His address upon enlistment was Kennington, Reginald St, Cottesloe and Nok mother, Mrs Kate Maidment of Bath, England and later his wife, H. E. G. Wadge of Norwich, England. Embarked at Fremantle 22 December 1915 per A31 Ajana. Served in Egypt 1916, France 1916-1919 and was wounded in the thigh at Mouquet Farm, France on 31 August 1916. He requested and was granted a discharge in England on compassionate grounds to support his family because his two brothers were killed in action including Lieut Herbert Wadge, 4th Pioneer Battalion, killed in action on 20 November 1916, and a third brother, also a soldier, lost all use of a hand. Frank Wadge did not return to Australia. Awarded two Military Crosses, the Croix de Guerre, two Mentions in Dispatches, and service medals: 1914-1915 Star, BWM and VM. Routine orders issued by Lieutenant General Birdwood in France 4 October 1916 and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 62 dated 19 April 1917 and the London Gazette 2nd supplement No. 29824 dated 14 November 1916: ‘for conspicuous gallantry during operations. He displayed great coolness and determination when leading the first wave in the attack, and when getting into touch with the unit on his right. His fine example gave great encouragement to the men holding the front line during an intense bombardment.’ Awarded a second Military Cross (Bar) in France on 18 June 1917 and recorded in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 169 dated 4 October 1917 and the London Gazette 4th supplement No. 30135 dated 15 June 1917. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty he carried out several daring reconnaissance of the enemy’s position and obtained most valuable information. Later during the attack, he kept his Battalion Headquarters well informed as to the situation. Mentioned in General Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 7 November 1917 and recorded in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 57 18 April 1918 and the London Gazette 2nd supplement No. 30448 dated 25 December 1917, ‘for distinguished and gallant service & devotion to duty during period 26 February 1917 to 20 September 1917.’ Awarded Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Argent on 1 November 1918: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 61 dated 23 May 1919 and the London Gazette 5th supplement No. 31109 dated 3 January 1919 ‘Mentioned in Sir D. Haig’s despatches recorded in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 124 30 October 1919 and the London Gazette 8th supplement No. 31448 dated 11 July 1919. The Bunbury Herald, 23 June 1917 noted, ‘Lieut Frank Wadge, well known in the Greenbushes district, has recently had a bar added to his D.S.O (sic) medal.’ Cottesloe Beach Methodist Church Honour Roll.
