45593
TONKIN, Alfred Bert
| Service Number: | 1425 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | MUSICIAN |
| Memorials: | Broken Hill Barrier District Roll of Honour, Silverton North Broken Hill Public School Roll of Honour, Yankalilla War Memorial Wall |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 1425, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 1425, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 1425 | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 1425 |
Help us honour Alfred Bert Tonkin'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
Private Alfred Bert Tonkin enlisted on December 2, 1914, answering the call to serve his country with honour and dedication. He was born in Adelaide, South Australias, in June 1889. Later growing up Alfred discovered his passion for music and upon enlistment, he formerly worked a job as a musician. When Alfred enlisted his nominated next of kin was his father Absolom Tonkins. Alfred’s wartime journeys took him from far-flung battlefields at Gallipoli, onto the Western Front quagmire that was Belgium and Northern France. Alfred at 25 years old enlisted at Oaklands, Adelaide. Two months later he boarded the HMAT Clan MacGillivray embarking from Melbourne on 2 February 1915. He was a member of the 10th Infantry Battalion.
Tonkin was sent over to Gallipoli with the 10th Battalion which formed a part of the 3rd Brigade and recruited volunteers from South Australia. The 10th was among first ashore at Anzac Cove on 25 April. On 13th May 1915 Tonkin was admitted to 17th General Hospital with an unknown illness. He was released to duty 9th June 1915 but was considered unfit for duty (Class-B) and was deployed to the Band. In October he was struck off strength, considered permanently unfit and remained at base.
By Feburary 1916 he was considered fit and rejoined the 10th Battalion in France, where he would fight not only against enemy soldiers but also his own injuries. When Alfred arrived in France, he was assigned to a briefing area to stay. However, by disobeying these orders from his captain, Alfred was subjected to a No. 2 Field Punishment on the 29th of June 1916. His punishment involved heavy labour duties, and he was possibly restrained in handcuffs or fetters for 96 hours.
After serving his puncishment on 22 August 1916, Alfred would endure the most traumatising experience of his life, as reported by him and his captain. The captain reported: “Lines have been held almost throughout - neighbours leaving the line as soon as heavy shell fire on our front was observed. At 1700, the enemy was met heavily by our arms, with many casualties, and on this day Alfred experience shell shock, which is a life threating mental illness affecting the body and mind, caused by the horrific things no man should see or hear. On 1 September, after a few days of recovery, Alfred returned to his unit.
In 1917 was he granted leave in the UK from 9/1/17 to the 13/12/17 and returned to 10th Battalion. In 1918 he was taken on strength to the 1st Australian Division Motor Transport Company where he served until the end of the war. He returned to England from France in December 1918. He was repatriated back to Australia arriving back 26th March 1919. Tonkin was discharged from the AIF 25th May 1919.