Frederick Annand

Who was Frederick Annand?

Colonel Frederick William Gadsby Annand DSO & Bar was an Australian businessman and soldier.

Annand was born at Toowoomba to rural worker James Annand and Harriet, née Gadsby. He attended local state schools and then worked for the Australian Mutual Provident Society and on stations in the Warrego region. In 1895 he formed an agency in Toowoomba and in 1899 established an accounting form, gaining a licence as an auditor. On 1 June 1898 he married Helen Alice Robinson. In 1905 he was appointed to manage the Brisbane Permanent Building and Banking Company, which he restored to profit. In 1897 he had joined the Queensland Defence Force, becoming a lieutenant with the Mounted Infantry. He joined the Royal Australian Engineers in 1905 and was promoted captain of the 5th Field Company; in 1911 he became a major with the 3rd Field Company. During World War I he commanded the 7th Field Company and was promoted lieutenant-colonel in March 1916, after which he commanded the 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. Mentioned in despatches four times and awarded a Distinguished Service Order and Bar, he returned from the war to command the Citizen Military Force's 15th Battalion.