Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alfred Charles was born August 15th 1917 and was the third of nine children born to Charles Henry and Ellen Essenhigh.
Alf attended Lima State School as did all his brothers and sisters. After completing his schooling to Merit level, Alf was to polish his farming and dairying skills on his parent’s farm.
In 1934 he was employed by the Swanpool Butter Factory, here he was to learn the art of butter making. Alf also, whilst working for the Butter Factory, earnt his Certificate in Boiler making.
The sending of troops of the 2nd AIF to the Middle East in January 1940, started Alf thinking seriously about joining up, so it was that one month short of his twenty third birthday, on 11th July 1940, Alf signed on with the 2nd AIF.
In August 1940, the now Private VX 34565 Essenhigh, Alf embarked, with the 4th Australia Motor Transport Company for Singapore. It was here, 18 months later on February 15, 1942 when the British forces on Singapore surrendered to the Japanese that Private Essenhigh was to start his three and a half years of hell as a Prisoner of War. Like so many other Australian service men Alf was sent to work on the Burma railway. During his incarceration, Alf’s weight was to drop from 11 stone to a little over 6 stone. This period of his life was the start of his chronic rheumatism, which was to plague him in later life.
After Japan’s cease-fire on August 15, 1945 the P.O.W.s were allowed to write home to their loved ones. As well his parents receiving official notification that their son was safe and well, they received letters from Alf dated 31 August and September 4.
On his return to Australia, and his discharge from the Army, Alf returned to his former employment.
The year of 1953 saw Alf marry (his long-time girlfriend) Lorna Mary Joyce at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Benalla on March 21.
Remembrance Day, November 11, 1954 saw their first child, Kenneth born. As Alf had been working for fifteen years at the Butter factory, he now took his long service leave. In 1955 Alf and Lorna together with baby, Ken left the Swanpool/Lima area to live and work in Melbourne.
For two years Alf worked as a truck driver carting gravel for Starbuck’s in and around Melbourne. He also worked as a crane operator.
However the sudden death of his two brothers, Alan and Roy in 1957, left his ageing parents short-handed to run the Lima property, so Alf decided to return to help his brother Jim and his parents run the dairy farm. After 12 months and another child, (Robyn born 9th April 1958), Alf branched out on his own and brought a farm 7km north of Moyhu, on the King river at Docker.
After 16 years, and with his health deteriorating, he sold the property and moved into Wangaratta. It was here he was to pass away on the 3rd January 1987. Alf was buried at the Wangaratta Cemetery on January 6 1987.
For his service to his country he received the following medals: 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-45, Australia Service Medal 1939-45 and the Defence Medal.