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Australia

Alfred was the son of Alexander LOWE & Emily Sarah BARNETT and was born on the 12th of April 1893 in Echunga, SA.

His parents were married on the 31st of July 1886 at the residence of Edward Bowen, Goodwood.

His father was the son of Alexander LOWE & Caroline BLUM and was born on the 8th of October 1851 in Echunga Creek, North West of Echunga, SA.
His mother was the daughter of Charles BARNETT & Betsy STEER and was born in 1847 in Adelaide, SA.

Alfred was the youngest child born into this family of 3 children.

His father was previously married to Eliza Sophia BAILEY on the 3rd of March 1881 in Echunga and they had 2 daughters before Eliza died, not long after childbirth, on the 20th of March 1884 in Echunga.

His mother was previously married to William THOMAS on the 25th of November 1873 in Kangarilla and they had 3 children before William died on the 25th of April 1884.

His father was a farmer and Alfred and his siblings attended the Echunga Public School.
On completing his schooling Alfred gained employment as a wattle stripper & woodchopper.

His mother died on the 7th of April 1910 in Echunga and they buried her in the Echunga Cemetery.

Alfred joined the Echunga Rifle Club and in 1910 he was presented with the Von Doussa Trophy (silver cup) for consistent shooting.

At the age of 22, Alfred enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 1st of March 1915 in Keswick and allotted the service number 627 and posted to C Company in Ascot Park Camp.

He was then transferred to the newly raised 27th Battalion, C Company and embarked from Adelaide on the 31st of May on board the troopship Geelong.
On the 22nd of June, whilst he was on board the ship, his brother, Frederick, enlisted into the 27th Battalion, 5th Reinforcements (2381).

Alfred served at Gallipoli and whilst he was there his brother, Frederick, embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on the 13th of October.
After Alfred and his Battalion evacuated Gallipoli they returned to Egypt where Frederick joined the Battalion.

They then proceeded to France where Albert suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his back on the 4th of June 1916 and was invalided to England and hospitalized.

Whilst Alfred was in hospital Frederick and the 27th was located at La Boiselle, near Pozieres, and on the night of the 4th of August 1916 they attacked a position on the left of the Bapaume Road.
During the attack to capture 2 lines of trenches and a windmill, the Battalion suffered 41 killed, 296 wounded and 69 missing.
Unfortunately Frederick was one of the soldiers that was Killed in Action and was buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery, 5 miles north-east of Albert.

Alfred returned to France until October 1918 when he suffered from debility and was invalided to England and admitted into the Duston War Hospital in Northamptonshire.
He spent 4 weeks in here and was then posted to No.1 Command Depot in Sutton Veny, just 2 days prior to the signing of the Armistice.

Alfred embarked from England on board HT Bakara on the 22nd of December 1918 and after spending his last Christmas away from his family and friends he disembarked in Perth on the 15th of February 1919.

Alfred was then transferred by boat to Adelaide and returned to his family in Echunga.
On Saturday evening, the 1st of March, Alfred and 9 other returned soldiers were given a welcome home social in the Echunga Institute Hall.

Alfred was discharged from the AIF on the 16th of May 1919.

Alfred married Mabel Doris GEE on the 26th of January 1920 in St Andrews Church, Walkerville, SA.
Mabel was the daughter of William Robert GEE & Ellen LOVELAND and was born on the 11th of November 1894 in Echunga, SA.

On the 14th of June 1920 Alfred successfully applied for a Soldier Settlement Block in Echunga, Part Section 7 (47), Hundred of Macclesfield, containing 51 acres.
The land was located on the north-east corner of Goodes Road, Echunga.

They then welcomed their next child; Frederick William, on the 8th of November 1920, followed by Janet Muriel on the 23rd of September 1921.

Robert George was their last child born on the 3rd of February 1928.

Alfred was a very fine woodchopper and in 1937 at the Wattle Bark Growers Picnic the highlight was the extremely close finish in the final between Alfred and his son Frederick, with Alfred defeating Frederick by only one blow.

He was a member of the Echunga RSL Sub-Branch.

Too help raise income for his family he gained employment with Mr George Lindsay Webb SMITH of “Battunga”, Flaxley.

With the outbreak of WW2 his son Frederick enlisted into the 2nd AIF on the 8th of May 1940 in Mt Barker and was allotted the service number S36625.

At the age of 49, Alfred enlisted into the VDC on the 17th of April 1942 in Echunga and allotted the service number S80449 and posted to the 4th Battalion, B Company, Home Guard in Strathalbyn.
He was discharged from the VDC on the 10th of November 1942 as he was unable to attend parades.
Mabel died on the 12th of September 1964 and Alfred buried her in the Echunga Cemetery; Non Denominational, Row F, Plot 2.

In 1966 Alfred surrendered the farm.

Alfred died on the 7th of September 1972 and was buried in the Echunga Cemetery on the 9th; Non Denominational, Row F, Plot 1, next to Mabel.

Military

WW1

At the age of 22, Alfred enlisted into the 1st AIF on the 1st of March 1915 in Keswick and allotted the service number 627 and posted to C Company in Ascot Park Camp.
He listed his father, of Echunga, as his next of kin.

On the 16th of March Alfred was transferred to the newly raised 27th Battalion and posted to C Company.

On the 1st of April they marched into the Mitcham Tent Camp and despite the dust of the first few weeks and the mud of later days, very great pride was taken in the Battalion quarters.

Many of the businessmen of Adelaide were very liberal with gifts of goods and luxuries for the troops. Besides gifts for the comfort of the men collectively and individually, many articles for the use of the Battalion generally were received. Among other presentations was a typewriter from Messrs. Colton, Palmer and Preston, and a large clock from Mr. H. Heylen (himself an old soldier).
This clock traveled with the Battalion until July, 1916, when it was packed, with other regimental impedimenta, and sent across to England.
It was set up in each of their training camps and recorded Regimental time on Gallipoli, and later in France.
The newly-formed Cheer Up Society in Adelaide, founded to give cheer to local and visiting soldiers, made the comfort of the men in camp their particular care, and were responsible for countless acts of kindness and forethought which went far to relieve the monotony and tedium of life under canvas.
Early in the month of May, the Battalion and other allotted troops in camp were invited by the Society to a luncheon in the Jubilee Exhibition Building in Adelaide and they marched to the city via Unley through gaily decorated streets lined with cheering and enthusiastic crowds.

When they arrived at the Jubilee Exhibition Building they were at once seated at bountifully supplied and decorated tables, where, to the accompaniment of fervent patriotic addresses the good things of life were freely partaken of, and the men showed their appreciation in the most striking manner.

It was early ascertained that a great number of the men allotted to the Battalion were from the suburban City of Unley and in recognition of this fact the 27th was adopted as “Unley’s Own”.

The early morning of May 31st found the Battalion in the bustle of preparation for their first real move as an organized unit. The principal stores and equipment had already been taken on board and when final inspections were over the troops were entrained from Mitcham Camp on two special trains.

Upon arrival at Outer Harbor, where the troopship Geelong was lying, a very great crowd of friends was found already assembled to bid the lads Good-bye. Very little time was lost in embarking the Battalion.
The regimental band was mustered on the upper deck, and, until the transport sailed, enlivened the proceedings with a fine programme of music.
Amid the greatest enthusiasm from soldiers and civilians alike the transport slowly swung out from the wharf, while fluttering ribbons and waving flags evidenced the deep sentiment of affection which characterized the parting.
And so they sailed, these men of the 27th Battalion, bound overseas to take their part in the mighty conflict between nations, leaving behind sorrowing but brave hearts to bear the suspense of separation, and to pray for the safe return of their dear ones.

Slowly the troopship left the wharf, the long streaming ribbons grew taut and snapped and the band played farewell music.
Alfred noted the cheering crowd fading and the groups of watching figures on the wharf merged into one another and his homeland faded from sight.

Most of the men were unused to sea life and found troopship conditions uncomfortable in the extreme, but with a ready will and buoyant spirit soon set themselves to overcome the monotony of the voyage.
A certain amount of physical exercise was possible, and regular instructional parades were held, sports and concert committees worked hard with excellent results, and after leaving Western Australia, where other troops were embarked, everybody had settled down to the novel surroundings.

As usual with troopship sailings, their course and destination were unknown, but it was generally surmised that their destination was Egypt enroute to Gallipoli.
From Western Australia their course lay direct to Suez and for a few days the ship was buffeted and tossed under the influence of monsoons, but as they neared the equatorial waters better conditions prevailed and life on board passed smoothly enough.

On the 22nd of June Albert’s brother, Frederick, enlisted into the 27th Battalion, 5th Reinforcements (2381).

On the 29th of June, an incident which occasioned much sorrow on board was the passing away of their comrade Private William Albert GRAHAM, of Hamley Bridge, who died on board and was buried at sea. He was the first of the 27th Battalion to answer the roll call for the “Other World, and his death was deeply mourned.
On the night following his death, at about ten o’clock, the officers assembled in the stern of the ship, and in the absence of a Protestant Chaplain, Colonel Dollman read the burial service, and he was committed to the deep.
Then in the impressive stillness of the starlit night, the silence deepened by the fact that the monotonous throbbing of the engines had ceased and his body was gently and tenderly given to the waves.
A minute’s solemn silence was held and then full steam ahead and they left their soldier to his rest.

When passing Aden, at the entrance to the Red Sea, news was received by wireless of a native rising against the garrison there, and although the possibility of their landing was discussed, their services were not requisitioned.
A day or two later, in the early morning, wireless calls reached them from a vessel in distress.
A dusty haze from the African shore made visibility difficult, but soon after daylight they sighted a British-Indian ship aground upon one of the many islands which abound thereabouts.
The Geelong stopped, the stranded ship put off a boat and some of her officers boarded the Geelong.
Then a wireless message from Aden was received that a rescue ship had been dispatched, which enabled the Geelong to continue the voyage towards Suez.

Suez was sighted on the 5th of July and the next morning instructions reached them to disembark and proceed by train to Cairo.
While lying at the wharf they saw the troopship Ballarat leave for Australia, with the first batch of wounded men from Gallipoli.

They entrained from Suez to Heliopolis in three special trains to their first camp, which was on the outskirts of the city and was known as the Aerodrome Camp.
Here they were attached temporarily to the 5th Brigade as the other Battalions of the 7th Brigade had been isolated on account of an outbreak of measles while on the voyage.
They slept in airy tents and as an issue of tropical clothing was made, the troops very soon adapted themselves to the new conditions.
Reveille was at 4am daily and training was carried on till breakfast at 8am before theoretical training occupied the time between 10 and noon.
At 4pm training recommenced and continued until 7pm. Limited evening leave was given and each week-end a liberal proportion were given freedom on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

About a fortnight after their arrival they moved camp to Abbassia and joined the other units of the brigade. A detailed programme of work was carried out, including trench digging, night marches, and attack and defence practices.
Among the duties which fell to the 27th Battalion was that of garrisoning the Kasr-el-Nil Barracks at Cairo and supplying a town picquet and several guards.

After a period of two months in Egypt, instructions were received to prepare for embarkation for Gallipoli, and immediate steps were taken to completely overhaul all equipment, and make good any deficiencies.

On the night of the 3rd of September 1915, they boarded trains for Alexandria and next morning embarked on the Ivernia in company with the 28th Battalion.
This was their first experience of voyaging in submarine-infested waters and stringent precautions were taken for the safety of all on board.
Lifebelts were worn day and night, submarine guards mounted and no lights permitted after dark.
They reached Lemnos Island on the 9th of September and anchored in Mudros Harbour until the 12th, on which day the whole of the 7th Brigade was transhipped to smaller vessels and made ready for the landing on Gallipoli.

They left Lemnos between 5 and 6pm and watched the daylight fade away, with mixed feelings, because they knew that before the sun rose again they would be on the shores of the Peninsula where so many of their brave compatriots had fought and fallen.
Night fell, and presently booming over the darkened sea came the sound of gunfire. To Alfred and his mates the sound of guns firing in anger was new and when they saw the dull flashes on the horizon and the sweeping rays of a searchlight from a battleship, they realized that their goal was near at hand.

Soon the rattle of musketry could be heard and the dim outlines of the shore became visible. Dropping anchor, they waited until a barge towed by a tug came silently alongside. Into the barge about half of the troops were packed and they pushed off.
As they drew nearer to the shore the sound of rifle bullets striking the water about them added to the realism and the sound of shell fire grew louder.
About midway between the ship and shore the barge parted company with the tug and they drifted helplessly until the fussy tug picked them up again, and eventually deposited them at the few piles and planks which comprised the landing place.

Here a guide awaited them and they were told to get the Battalion together as soon as possible and march along the shore to a bivouac ground to be pointed out.
This was necessary to do during darkness as most of the beach was in full view of the enemy trenches during the day.

They trudged along, for the most part in sand, until, to their infinite relief, they turned into a place known as Taylor’s Hollow, where a New Zealand Battery had its quarters. There was little of darkness left when, tired and weary, they threw themselves down, but nevertheless at earliest dawn they were afoot reconnoitering their new surroundings.

During that night, the 13th of September, they moved up slowly and silently took over and commenced their garrison duty in the trench on Gallipoli from the New Zealand troops on Cheshire Ridge.
The trench was poorly constructed having been established by the New Zealand troops, who were weakened both in numbers and physique owing to continuous and arduous service. It ran along the top of a ridge and was distant from the enemy about eighty to four hundred yards.

The enemy trenches, however, had been made and strengthened, and offered a continuous menace to the ANZAC lines.
It was soon recognized that the 27th trenches could be much improved, and they constructed splendid forward fire positions, which gave better and more effective command over the enemy.

At the time of their first arrival on Gallipoli, the summer weather conditions still prevailed, and by reason of shortage of water, the prevalence of flies, and the number of unburied dead, the amount of sickness (principally enteric, para typhoid, and jaundice) was very great.

The water and supplies for the use of the men in the trenches were conveyed by mules, under the control of an Indian corps. These animals were well cared for and proved most reliable and trusty in their work, although they possessed the amiable trait of kicking at unexpected times and without provocation, as several of the men will readily testify.
The 27th “dump” was at the foot of the hill below the lines and supplies were kept at high-water mark. There were times, however, when the water-barges failed and their ration of water for all purposes was but a thimbleful. Occasionally it was found possible to allow a platoon at a time as far as the beach for a bathe, where the diggers sported in the waves, in spite of the shrapnel Johnny Turk sent after them.

On the 13th of October his brother Frederick embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A32 Themistocles.

At times, especially after rain, the steep road from the beach was impassable even for mules and on these occasions parties had to be sent from the men in the reserve to act as beasts of burden and bring their supplies to the firing line.
To reach the lines held by the 27th Battalion from the beach, it was necessary to traverse the Chalak Dere, a deep gully which in places was exposed to the full view of the enemy and working parties were usually fired upon, principally by machine guns. The 27th lines were well within bombing range and a lot of casualties resulted from this cause, while some very narrow escapes were experienced.
A great amount of ingenuity was displayed in making shelters and the provision of suitable winter quarters was proceeding when their relief arrived on the 12th of November.

They marched out by platoons at intervals and although badly shot at on the way to the beach, suffered no casualties.
Their next post was on Wellington Plateau, in support to Russell’s Top and Walker’s Ridge, in which position they assisted the garrison and provided strong mining fatigue.
Here their position was on a narrow ledge (called by their regimental officers Chamois Ledge) overlooking a deep gully, along the sides of which shelters had been cut for the transport mules while off duty. The Battalion was set to terrace the slope and to make shelters in the solid earth of the hill. Owing to the absence of timber or revetting material the task was heartbreaking, but nevertheless was well carried out, and several adequate shelters constructed.

It was while they were holding this position that Lord Kitchener visited Gallipoli and his tour of inspection took him through the 27th Battalion lines.
During November a very trying snow blizzard was experienced, which caused a lot of sickness among all Australian units.
Their next move was to Happy Valley gully and from this position they supplied beach fatigues and working parties for some days and whilst here Alfred was promoted to Provisional Corporal on the 22nd of November.

Then came definite news of the intention to evacuate the Peninsula and they were tasked to transport vast quantities of stores as well as troops to waiting troopships, which came silently out of the distance each night after darkness had set in.

They then moved to the beach camp and could see, from day to day, the garrison grow less in numbers.
On the 12th of December the word came that it was their turn to leave and the 27th Battalion, with the 26th and 28th, embarked on barges that night.
Even at the time it was difficult to understand how the troops could so completely disengage themselves without the knowledge of the enemy.

They were then transferred to the Osmania, and Alfred’s feelings could only be imagined as they slowly gained way and left behind the shore of Gallipoli.
Relief at his personal safety, regret at the failure of the enterprise, and deep-seated sorrow that so many brave and gallant comrades had fallen by the way, and that he were leaving their graves in the enemy’s hand.

With hats off they stood while the dim and distant shore slowly receded from sight and in a few hours a new day dawned as they made their way into Mudros Harbour once more, and made ready to land.

They disembarked and marched to Sarpi Camp for a well earned rest.
The casualties sustained by the 27th Battalion on Gallipoli Peninsula were; 10 Killed, 65 wounded and 587 evacuated sick.

On the 16th of December they marched to No. 2 Camp, overlooking the entrance to the harbour, and here the whole of the 7th Brigade was eventually quartered. The countryside was strewn with stones, which made any military movement off the roads a very difficult matter and it was necessary for them to clear not only their sleeping quarters, but also an area large enough for battalion parades.

The Christmas of 1915 was spent here and as an excellent British army canteen was nearby, the usual liquid adjuncts for a festive season were obtained and enjoyed and ration issue included Christmas pudding in tins.
On Christmas Eve they received billycans sent by the good folk at home. These typical Australian utensils were filled with gifts of value and utility. No two were alike.

On the 8th of January, 1916, the 27th, 23rd & 24th Battalions embarked on the transport Minnewaska, and after an anxious but uneventful voyage, arrived at Alexandria two days later.
They were then entrained to Tel-el-Kebir, where they arrived about midnight, and found many members of the Battalion who had been evacuated from Gallipoli through sickness and wounds, waiting to rejoin their unit.
The following day Alfred was promoted to Corporal and was surprised to find one of the new enlistments in camp was his brother Frederick, who had joined the 27th Battalion.

Very limited leave was possible here and soon the whole of the Australian forces were concentrated here. Training was vigorously carried out in preparation for expected operations against a threatened Turkish invasion of Egypt.
On the 3rd of February the Battalion entrained once more and proceeded to Ismalia, where the Suez Canal was crossed by pontoon bridges and they took up a new position on the Asiatic shore.

Defensive positions were at once commenced, both at the canal and in the desert about ten miles inland. Here the Camel Corps was much in evidence in the making of a road, and a desert railway was laid down.
Most of their time was taken up in digging and fortifying trenches and supplying outposts, but as much training as possible was carried out.
On the 5th of March they re-crossed the canal and marched to Moascar, where preparations commenced for their move to France.

On the 14th of March they entrained to Alexandria, being part of the first Australian force to leave for Europe.
Their Brigade was given pride of place and they embarked on the troopship Northland the following day for Marseilles.
The voyage was a smooth one, although the presence of enemy submarines made it necessary that great precaution should be taken, but despite many alarms they safely reached port.
It was with mingled feelings on the morning of March 21st that they watched the shores of France.
Drawing close, the vessel slowly made its way to the wharf side and their band mustered on deck and lustily played the Marseillaise, to the evident delight of the waiting population.

As the first Australian troops to arrive en route to the battle line a wonderful reception was accorded to the different Battalions of their brigade.
Everything was at once got ready for disembarkation but no one was allowed ashore as during the afternoon instructions arrived that they would leave Marseilles by train at 1am the next morning.
Just before midnight therefore they left the ship and marched through the streets to the railway station. The whole of the 26th Battalion and half of the 27th Battalion, with the 7th Field Ambulance, numbering in all about 1,500 men, were accommodated in one train, which consisted of fifty coaches drawn by very powerful engines.

The railway ran along the Rhone Valley and the endless change of panoramic beauty called forth expressions of appreciation from even the most unimpressionable Diggers.
The flag of the 27th Battalion, which had a map of Australia as its central design, was displayed as they passed through the towns, and evoked great interest among the French people.

Just before midday on March 24th they disentrained at a small village called Thiennes and after unloading their baggage marched 5 miles through snow to Morbecque and into huts.
The weather was bitterly cold and they were glad when next day they moved out of the huts and were billeted among the surrounding population.

For the most part barns and sheds were secured for billeting while each company established its kitchen in some central position. A feature of the French farms was a pond or midden into which all house and other refuse was thrown and these were periodically emptied to manure the surrounding fields.
To Australians this appeared a most unhealthy and unsanitary procedure, but the French folk appear to take no harm.

Two members of the 27th Battalion were returning to their billets after an evening spent in the village, when one of them, walking too close to the edge of a midden, managed to fall in.
His companion viewed the incident with composure for a few minutes, and then gravely plunged in to the rescue. Both men waded to safety, and, somewhat chastened by the incident, proceeded to their quarters, where their appearance and the unsavory odor resulting from their immersion, called forth much uncomplimentary comment from their mates.
Eventually they were compelled to disrobe outside and leave their clothing in the fresh air to sweeten. They applied for a fresh issue next day.

We daily saw British regiments passing through on their way to the front and the sound of gunfire was practically continuous, while at night time the horizon was lighted with the glare of rockets and flares.
On April 4th 1916 the whole of the 7th Brigade marched forward with the 27th Battalion leading the column.
Their first night’s halt was at Outerstein, and the next at Erquinghem, where their Battalion headquarters was in an old chateau, with oak beams bearing the date 1616 supporting the roof, while the moat and drawbridge were still in good order.

Brigade headquarters were established in the Rue Marie, Armentieres, and on the 7th of April they relieved the Northumberland Fusiliers in the front line and for the first time in the history of the war Australian troops were in the front line of the European theatre.
The arrival of the troops and the attitude adopted by them soon altered the demeanor of the opposing Germans, and a notice was received by means of a rifle grenade fired into the lines of the 28th Battalion at a point where the trenches were only about thirty yards apart.
The notice read, in effect: Welcome, you brave Australian heroes; soon your blood will stain the fields of France. You will find the German dog can bite. Witness Verdun.”

It was here on the 13th of April that Alfred became ill with Influenza and was admitted into the 6th Australian Field Ambulance for 2 days.

Their time was fully occupied, as all troops not actually on observation during the daytime were busily engaged in strengthening support lines, repairing trenches, and making wire entanglements, which were placed in position at night.

It was in these trenches on the 4th of June that Alfred suffered a severe Gun Shot Wound to his Fistula Muscle in his lower back and was admitted into the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.
The following day he was transferred to the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne and then on the 10th he was invalided to England on board HT St Denis and admitted into one of the County of London War Hospitals.

Whilst Alfred was in hospital Frederick and the 27th was located at La Boiselle, near Pozieres, and on the night of the 4th of August 1916 they attacked a position on the left of the Bapaume Road.
During the attack to capture 2 lines of trenches and a windmill, the Battalion suffered 41 killed, 296 wounded and 69 missing.
Unfortunately Frederick was one of the soldiers that was Killed in Action and was buried in the Courcelette British Cemetery, 5 miles north-east of Albert.

Alfred remained in hospital for 4 months before being discharged to 2 weeks furlough and then reporting to No.1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, on the 27th of October.
On the 14th of December Alfred proceeded back to France on board SS Princess Henrietta and rejoined his Battalion on the 23rd of December at Fricourt Camp and was promoted to Sergeant Vice.

The following day they marched to Montauban Camp, or, some might say, waded there. The camp was a huge quagmire; one step off the duck boards meant a re-appearance with the next heavy rain.

On Christmas Day, 1916, they carried out fatigue duties in the forward areas and their Christmas dinner consisted of tea “straight” bully and biscuits.

Three days later they marched to D camp near Bernafay Wood, where they supplied fatigue parties for cable laying.
Although the intensely cold weather continued the recently captured and devastated area was rapidly cleared and a reserve camp soon sprang into existence.

On January 8th, 1917, they relieved the 18th Battalion in supports (Needle Trench) in the Gueudecourt sector and the next day moved into the front line (Rose Trench) and forward posts to relieve the 19th Battalion.
No advance was attempted, but many improvements were effected, especially in strengthening and linking up the forward posts.
Four days later they were relieved and after moving back to Delville Wood they supplied further fatigue parties to continue the re-construction of the Brigade front line system and dugouts in rear.

Their next move was to Meaulte, Dernancourt and onto Buire-sur-Ancre where they spent 12 days in tactical warfare training and practicing the French methods of assault.
On the 29th of January they moved to Mametz Wood and marched into the line and relieved the 13th Battalion Royal Scots, in the Le Sars sector.
They spent a week here before being relieved and moving to Villa Camp, situated on the western side of the Contalmaison-Martinpuich Road.

Early February was spent at Scot’s Redoubt North Camp in training before returning to the front line and then moving to Sussex Camp and onto Fricourt Camp.
They were then involved in the heavy fighting around Warlencourt.

By mid March they were at Becourt Camp, near Albert, and from the 11th to the 18th the Battalion was engaged in reorganising its companies and training in mobile warfare.
They then marched via La Boiselle, Pozieres, and Le Sars to Le Coupe-Gueule.
Bapaume was their next destination and the town was still burning as they passed through en route to Beugnatre.
On the 21st of March they moved to Vaulx-Vraucourt and into the front line.

It was here, 2 days later, that Alfred suffered burns to his left foot and was admitted into the 5th Australian Field Ambulance.
He was carrying hot soup in a carton and spilled it onto his foot.
On the 25th he was transferred to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance and admitted into No.2 Dressing Station.
After nearly 4 weeks here he was discharged to duty and rejoined his Battalion on the 5th of May at the Lagnicourt-Noreuil line where they were digging a fire trench.

On May 18th they marched to Senlis where they commenced training in all methods of warfare.
Spare time was devoted principally to cricket and special training in connection with the Brigade sports.

Although over 14 miles from Amiens, leave was granted to a percentage of men daily to visit that town, a special leave train running from Albert for the purpose.

May 31st the anniversary of the Battalion’s departure from Australia was most cordially celebrated by the boys who paid tributes to their fallen comrades.
On Sunday, July 15th, a beautiful summer day, the Battalion marched from Bapaume to the sacred spot at Flers to erect a cross and pay a last tribute to the memory of their gallant comrades who fell there on November 5th, 1916.

The battlefield, covered with long grass, intermingled with patches of blood-red poppies and blue cornflowers, presented a scene far different from that which greeted them that bleak November morn, but despite Nature’s beautiful transformation, the boys present that day lived over again their experiences throughout the battle.
During the service a tiny lark arose nearby and with a beautiful flow of song seemingly strove to silence the ever-reminding rumble of artillery fire, away to the east.

On the 28th of July they marched from Bapaume to Miraumont (River Ancre) where they entrained to Cassel, arriving in the rain they marched 6 miles to a tented camp at Rennescure.
They remained here in training until the 12th of September when they marched via Staple, Hondeghem, and St. Sylvestre-Cappel to Steenvoorde.
The following morning they left for the Halifax area, marching via Abeele, Reninghelst, and Ouderdom for Montreal Camp.
Then on the 17th they marched via Kruisstraat and Lille Gate to the Ypres ramparts, east of the town.

The following day Alfred was transferred to the 7th Training Battalion in England and placed on permanent cadre in Tidworth.
Here he attended a Course of Instruction at No.11 area Gas School, Chisledon, from the 6th of October for 7 days.
On the 18th of October he attended a 3 week Course of Instruction at South Command Bombing School in Lyndhurst.

He was then transferred to the 6th Training Battalion in Fovant on the 8th of November where he spent Christmas 1917.
Alfred proceeded back to France on the 1st of March 1918 and rejoined his Battalion at Bellebrune in training.
By mid March they had moved to the reserve area, west of Frelinghien and then into the front line.

On April 2nd they were relieved and moved to No. 1 Camp, Kortepyp and then embussed to Fletre before they entrained to Allonville.
On April 6th they marched out to Corbie and the following day they marched, via Franvillers, to Baizieux.
By early May they were located at Rivery and on the 10th of May Alfred became ill and was admitted into the 7th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station at Vignacourt.
Two days later he was transferred by Ambulance Train to the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen.
He spent 5 days here before he was discharged to the 2nd Convalescent Depot in Rouen, but 4 days later he was admitted into the 6th General Hospital.
Three days later he was discharged to the AIBD (Australian Infantry Base Depot) in Le Havre and medically classified fit for service.

Alfred rejoined his Battalion on the 13th of June north-west of Bonnay and by the end of June they had moved to Blangy-Tronville.
Mid July was spent back in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux and by the end of July they were conveyed by motor lorries to the vicinity of the Tank Park, north-west of Amiens, where they practiced the latest methods of Tank and Infantry co-operation.

They then relieved the 26th Battalion in the Aubigny system and on the 5th of August Alfred suffered from Asthenia (lack of energy and strength) and was admitted into the 6th Australian Field Ambulance and the transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station.
The following day he was transferred to the 9th U.S.A General Hospital in Rouen.

On the 9th he was invalided to England on board HS St Patrick and admitted into the Duston War Hospital in Northamptonshire.
After 4 weeks in here he was discharged to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield for 2 days and then discharged to No. 2 Command Depot in Weymouth.
On the 9th of November Alfred was transferred to No.1 Command Depot in Sutton Veny and 2 days later the Armistice was signed and the guns fell silent.

Alfred embarked from England on board HT Bakara on the 22nd of December 1918 and after spending his last Christmas away from his family and friends he disembarked in Perth on the 15th of February 1919.

Alfred was then transferred by boat to Adelaide.

Alfred was discharged from the AIF on the 16th of May 1919 and awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War & Victory Medals.

WW2

At the age of 49, Alfred enlisted into the VDC on the 17th of April 1942 in Echunga and allotted the service number S80449 and posted to the 4th Battalion, B Company, Home Guard in Strathalbyn.
He listed his wife, of Echunga, as his next of kin.

He was discharged from the VDC on the 10th of November 1942 as he was unable to attend parades.