PRIVATE FREDERICK SUMMERSGILL MITCHELL
AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY
1ST JULY 1916 AGE 18
BURIED: BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION NORD, FRANCE
For Private Mitchell's mother the pain was doubled when Frederick's twin brother died of wounds in September 1918. The brothers have consecutive service numbers - 3541 and 3542 - even though from the embarkation rolls it looks as though Frederick joined up on 21 July 1915 and his brother, Matthew Hawton Mitchell, on 1 December 1915. They left Australia together on 5 January 1916.
By the time Mrs Mitchell chose her sons' inscriptions she was a widow. Like many, many relations her consolation in her grief came from the belief that they will all meet again in the afterlife. Her reference to Jesus' feet comes from the chorus of the hymn God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus' feet,
God be with you till we meet again.
