The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Pair of khaki Bedford cord breeches with four button fly fastened with pressed brass buttons bearing the word 'COMMONWEALTH' and a crown. There is a diagonal slash pocket over each front hip, self fabric strapping inside each knee and side openings at the bottom of each leg closed with 14 pairs of metal reinforced eyelets and brown cotton laces. The waist closes with a large brass hook and slide. Four brass hooks are sewn around the outside of the waist to secure a brown leather universal training pattern belt and pouch (not present). The inside waist and fly is lined with heavy brown cotton twill. The pocket bags are constructed from the same fabric. Stamped in black ink inside the proper left waist is 'CGCF 8 1914. The centre back lining is marked in purple indelible pencil 'Ballhausen 472'.
Breeches issued to 472 Private Frederick Ballhausen during his initial training in the AIF in Australia in 1914, rather than the standard AIF service dress, because the new uniforms were in short supply. This uniform was left behind with his family when he sailed for Egypt.
Ballhausen had been working as a stock and station agent at Narromine, NSW, when he enlisted in the AIF while he was visiting Goulburn, on 27 August 1914. He had previously served in the militia with the NSW Mounted Rifles but was not a current member when he enlisted in the AIF. Ballhausen was made a provisional corporal on 15 September and assigned to C Company, 1st Light Horse Regiment.
The regiment left Sydney on 20 October, aboard HMAT A16 Star of Victoria. In Egypt Ballhausen was promoted to staff sergeant on 16 February 1915 and transferred to Base Depot Headquarters to maintain its records. He service record suggests that he did not serve on Gallipoli in 1915. He was promoted to warrant officer at the beginning of June and posted to AIF Headquarters. In June 1916 Ballhausen transferred to the AIF Canteens Service. He was attached as a Canteens representative to the 14th Infantry Brigade when it sailed from Egypt for service in France on the Western Front on 20 June. On the same day he was mentioned in despatches for his skill in administration.
In France, in April 1917, Ballhausen was promoted to Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant and transferred to the Administrative Headquarters of the AIF in London. His return to Australia, as part of the 1914 leave scheme, was approved on 29 October 1918. He left England on 5 November, travelling via the Panama Canal to Vancouver aboard the Melita, and then on to Sydney on SS Niagara. His appointment with the AIF was terminated in March 1919. Frederick Ballhausen died on 4 June 1969.
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