Frederick Trad: Australian-Lebanese Digger

Frederick Trad was born in Barhalioun, Lebanon, in 1922 and migrated to Australia as a child with his parents, Calil and Carolina.¹ Upon their arrival, the family settled at Killabakh Creek, where other Lebanese families were already established. Following the common migration pattern of the time, Calil worked as a hawker, travelling through rural areas with a horse and cart to sell goods.²

In 1941, Frederick enlisted in WWII with friends. Assigned to the 33rd Fortress Company to defend Sydney Harbour’s northern entrance, he soon fell seriously ill with appendicitis.³ When Frederick was discharged from hospital, his father was overjoyed, believing his son would return home. However, Frederick had enlisted in the expeditionary forces and was soon to be deployed to the Middle East.⁴ His family was devastated by the news, but for Frederick, it was a matter of self-respect.

While serving in the Middle East, Frederick proudly took his friends to visit his hometown of Barhalioun.⁵ However, as the war intensified in the Pacific, he was redeployed to New Guinea in September 1942. Just one month later, while fighting on the Kokoda Track, Frederick was killed in action.⁶ Frederick’s friend, Wilfred Abdoo, was by his side the day he died. Wilfred later recalled that, in his final moments, Frederick said his father would be happy that he’d be going back to Australia. Tragically, that wasn’t to be. Initially buried in Efogi, Frederick was later reinterred at Templeton’s Crossing, and finally at Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby.⁷ He is commemorated on Panel 29 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.⁸

This story is a small sign of respect dedicated to the Australian-Lebanese Diggers, such as Frederick Trad, who died defending Australia.

Authors: Janine Roberts with great assistance from Eric and Julianne Trad.