Born in Kingston, England, Frank Slade was in his early teens when he made his way to Perth, where he settled in inner Fremantle and worked as a seafarer. On the weekend, he pulled on his football boots for Fremantle and in his second season played a key role in the black and whites Charity Cup final win, a 4-0 thumping of Austral.
For the 1913 season defender Frank Slade switched to Thistle, who he helped finish top of Division Two and lift the Charity Cup. Further silverware followed in his second season with Thistle completing the Division One, Challenge Cup and Shield, and Wanderers Cup treble. During the season Frank Slade gained selection for England in local international series games with Scotland and Australia.
In January 1915 Frank Slade enlisted in the 11th Battalion, serving as a Private. He suffered a shrapnel wound to the head at Gallipoli, Turkey, most likely during the Battle of Lone Pine where his Battalion suffered heavy casualties with 41 killed, 94 wounded and 19 missing.
Frank Slade was aged about 24 when he died at sea on board HMHS Sicilia on 10 August 1915, two days after being wounded. He was buried at sea the following day.
The West Australian newspaper of 1 July, 1916, carried the following –
Mr. A. McDowall is in receipt of a copy of a letter received from Mrs. C. Slade, Essex, requesting information, etc, of her son Frank, who was killed on August 10 of last year at Gallipoli. Mrs. Slade is deserving of our heartfelt sympathy in her irreparable loss, as it seems she had no knowledge of her son being with the Australian expeditionary forces. In fact, the bereaved mother was expecting her son home at Christmas. It was, therefore, a severe blow to receive word from the war authorities that he was no more. Frank, it will be remembered, played full back for Thistle, and was esteemed by every one who knew him. Anyone possessing information relative to the deceased, might communicate with the above or write direct to Mrs. Slade.
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