HODDER, Alexander Ballantyne
| Service Number: | 379 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1916, Melbourne |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Machine Gun Company |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 May 1894 |
| Home Town: | St Arnaud, North Grampians, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Fairfield School, Melbourne High School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Teacher |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 19 October 1917, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, St. Arnaud Traynors Lagoon & District Roll of Honor WW1, Traynors Lagoon War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 379, 15th Machine Gun Company, Melbourne | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 379, 15th Machine Gun Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Commonwealth embarkation_ship_number: A73 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Sep 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 379, 15th Machine Gun Company, HMAT Commonwealth, Melbourne | |
| 17 Oct 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 24th Machine Gun Company |
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Add my storyBiography contributed
Alexander Ballantyne HODDER was born in Melbourne, Victoria on 4th May, 1894
His parents were James Gunstone HODDER & Jeannette (Janet) BALLANTYNE who married in Victoria in 1893
Biography contributed by Andreena Hockley
"Private Alexander B. Hodder, son of Mr and Mrs. J. Hodder (father deceased), South Yarra, was born on the 4th of May, 1894. He attended the Fairfield School, and, afterwards, the Melbourne High School (1909-1911).
He was appointed junior teacher at Yarra Park, and head teacher at Gre Gre North, near St, Arnaud. According to official reports, he was a very promising young teacher, earnest, hardworking, capable and progressive.
He enlisted in July, 1916, was attached to a machine gun section, and sent abroad in September. On his arrival in England, he entered the Machine-gun school at Grantham. On the 9th of October, 1917, he left for France in the 24th M.G. Company, and, after only twenty-four hours fighting, was killed (on the 19th). He is buried at Passchendaele. Two brothers also served.
The St. Arnaud press on the 23rd November gives an account of a memorial service conducted by the Rev. Aeneus McDonald, and some interesting particulars of Mr. Hodder's career, mentioning that he had attained the rank of Coporal, but, being anxious to get into action, he disregarded the promotion and went to the field as a Private. Reference is also made to his interest in the welfare of the district, to his bright personality, and to the affection he inspired in the children."
Source: The Education Department's Record of War Service, Victoria, 1914-1919.
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