S2212
PETHERICK, Alfred
| Service Number: | 6566 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 July 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Greens Plains West, South Australia , 21 December 1881 |
| Home Town: | Kadina, Copper Coast, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Kadina, South Australia , 7 May 1954, aged 72 years |
| Cemetery: |
Kadina Cemetery, South Australia Path 52 Block 27 |
| Memorials: | Kadina & District WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 6566, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Melbourne embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Oct 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 6566, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Melbourne, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 6566 |
Help us honour Alfred Petherick's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Life before the war
Alfred Petherick was born in Greens Plains West, South Australia in December 1881. When he married his wife, Florence Petherick, they moved to the small country town of Kadina and bought a small cottage. Alfred followed the Methodist religion as did Florence. Both Alfred and Florence ran a farm which supplied them with money and food. They had five children named Ruby, Sylvi, Zita, Bill and Hazel. [1] Alfred was 5 feet tall, 190lbs, had a “Fresh” (young, clean) complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. When enlisting for the war, Alfred was 35 years and 3 months old. His service number was 6566.[2]
Life on the Western Front
Alfred enlisted for World War I on the 2nd of August in Adelaide, South Australia in the year 1916.Before departing, Alfred underwent basic training in Adelaide and on the 21st of October, he boarded the ‘H.M.A.T Port Melbourne, A40’ to sail to Luxor, Egypt to undergo further training. His role was a Private and was part of the 10th Battalion, 21st reinforcement as a soldier.The 10th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement formed with 9th, 11th and 12th battalions which formed the 3rd Brigade.[4]
In February 1917 Alfred was struck down with a case of Enteric Fever which required him to go to Fargo Military Hospital. He was out of action for 6 months but was back in July 1917 where he travelled to France to take place in the last 3 months of the Battle of Arras.[5] In March and April 1918, the 10th Battalion helped stop the German Spring Offensive. The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. In November 1918, members of the AIF began returning to Australia. Alfred returned to Adelaide on the 12th of May 1919 on the H.M.A.T “Port” Melbourne, A40.
Because of Alfred’s service, he received 2 medals. These medals consisted of the British War medal, and the Victory medal. Alfred received these medals for his service to Australia and Britain.[6]
After the War
Alfred Petherick fortunately returned to Australia and went on to live his life until the age of 73. He and Florence had five more children named Don, Rex, Verdy, Betty and Leela. He died on the 7th of May 1954 and is buried in Kadina Cemetery, South Australia.
[1] https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=239649
[2] https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8017332
[3] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10922814
[4] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1893845
[5] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51450
[6] http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWI/1914-15-Star.asp
[7] https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/anzac/spirit
Click images to start slideshow.