MARR, Alexander
| Service Numbers: | 28654, W67086 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 October 1915, Appointed Gunner 10.6.16 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Volunteer Defence Corps (WA) |
| Born: | Aberdeen, Scotland, 26 June 1891 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Horse Driver |
| Died: | Hollywood Hospital, Nedlands Western Australia, 30 September 1984, aged 93 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Plaque at Memorial Niche Walls, Lawn 5, Wall 10, Position 0175 |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 28654, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , Appointed Gunner 10.6.16 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Oct 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 28654, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Oct 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 28654, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne | |
| 16 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 28654, Returned to Australia on 1.6.19 on the Somali |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , W67086, Volunteer Defence Corps (WA), Occupation: electric and mobile crane driver for the Fremantle Harbour Trust. Also completed guard duties at factories doing military work. | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, W67086 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Helen Harmer
Alexander Marr was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on the 26.6.1891. When he enlisted at Perth on the 6.10.15, he was 24 years 4 months old, a horse driver and Presbyterian. He had previously served with the Royal Engineers Scotland for 4 years. Next of kin was his wife, Mabel, who was living in Livingston Rd, Beaconsfield, then moved to Keane St, Cottesloe. Alexander was described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 37½ -41½ inches, fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. Initially he was a Private with Service number 28654, at number 36 Depot, then transferred to Maribyrnong, Victoria, where he was appointed to the 10th Field Artillery Brigade as a gunner on the 10.6.16. Alexander embarked on the Ulysses from Melbourne on 25.10.16. Whilst in England, he attended a course at the school of farriery Romsey and qualified as a cold shoer on the 24.4.17. On the 25.8.17 he was admonished for overstaying his leave and forfeited a day’s pay. He proceeded to France on the 2.11.17 and attached for duty to the 1st DAC on 9.11.17. On the 14.11.17 he was appointed shoeing smith. On the 20.11.18 he was admitted to hospital with varicocele, rejoining his unit on 22.12.18. He returned to Australia on the 1.6.19 on the Somali, disembarked on the 8.7.19 and was discharged on the 16.8.19.
Alexander enlisted again during World War 2 at Nedlands WA on the 6.4.42, aged 56 years 9 months. Next of Kin was his wife, Mabel, of Palmerston St, Mosman Park. His occupation was electric and mobile crane driver for the Fremantle Harbour Trust, and he was a member of the Fremantle Lumpers’ Union of Workers. His Service Number was W67086. He served with the Volunteer Defence Corps. On the 18.2.42 he attended KPS and on the 16.8.42 was promoted to Corporal D Company R.O 65. In a letter he wrote to the Army about medals he was due, he stated that he served with D Company Number 1 Battalion VDC, carrying out guard duties in various factories and other places doing military work and army production. In March 1943 he was transferred to the 419 Heavy Artillery Battery at Buckland Hill and served there until September 1945. During that time, he attended an NCO school at Guildford and one at Northam, took part in weekend exercises at Garden Island and was also detached for service with other gun crews in a secret position at the critical stage when the Japanese threatened their breakthrough. He mentioned that his OC was Captain W Mead and that his health had suffered because of the long hours combining his civil occupation, guard duties and gun site duties. His work at the Fremantle Harbour Trust included removing damaged parts and gun mountings from ships. On the 8.9.44 he was appointed to 3 Battalion VDC, Claremont, then to reserves on the 31.8.45.
Alexander died on the 30.9.1984 at Hollywood Hospital and is memorialised at Karrakatta Memorial Niche Walls, Lawn 5, Wall 10, Position 0175.
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