WALLACE, Alexander Brown
| Service Number: | 2656 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 July 1916, Cootamundra, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 39th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia , 26 August 1889 |
| Home Town: | Young, Young, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Young Public School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Hit By Shell, Broodseinde, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
Tyne Cot Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Plot XXXIV, Row C, Grave No. 20, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Leichhardt War Memorial, Young St. John the Evangelist Church Great War Memorial Window |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2656, 39th Infantry Battalion, Cootamundra, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2656, 39th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2656, 39th Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2656, 39th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines, Gassed | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2656, 39th Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, KIA Hit by shell in fox hole |
Alexander Brown Wallace
Written by Mary E West, great niece.
Private Alexander Wallace Brown, Alec. The Battle of Broodseinde was fought on 4 October 1917, was the last of three successful “bite and hold” battles launched by General Herbert Plumer during the middle phase of the third battle of Ypres. That battle had opened with an ambitious attempt to push the Germans back along a long stretch of their line. That effort had failed in the mud. Plumer’s Second Army had then taken over from the Fifth Army. Plumer believed in making limited advances in attacks on shorter stretches of the line, stopping once a pre-determined point had been reached and digging in ready to repulse the inevitable German counterattack.
His first two attacks, at Menin Road Ridge, 20-25 September 1917 and Polygon Wood, 26-27 September, had gone entirely to plan. A creeping barrage had protected the advancing troops while standing bombardments had isolated the German troops under attack. Both attacks had seized their objectives and then held off German counterattacks.
Both sides were planning an attack on 4 October. When the British bombardment began, it caught a number of German units out in the open preparing for their own attack (amongst them the 4th Guard and 19th Reserve Divisions). The British attack contained divisions from Britain, New Zealand and Australia. As at Menin Road Ridge and Polygon Wood, the British attack achieved its main objectives and then halted to dig in.
My great cousin Alec died during the Battle of Broodseinde he was among who lost their lives that day and now lies in the fields of the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Passchendaele. 101 years and never forgotton. Lest We Forget
Submitted 4 October 2018 by David Evans
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
Son of Alexander and Amy Elizabeth WALLACE, 224 St John's Road, Glebe, New South Wales
From Mary E West
Remembering my cousin Private Alexander (Alec) Brown Wallace, killed 4th October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde. His death was confirmed by his brother who was in a nearby foxhole and seen his brothers foxhole take a direct hit. Alec was one of the unknown soldiers until 1920 when he was identified by his canteen and had his headstone replaced at the Tyne Cot Cemetery Belgium. Where he now lies surrounded by other heroes from many nations. Lest We Forget.
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