Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leading up to the time of his death, Alfred had enjoyed a brief period of rest and relaxation at a town called Pradelles where the 23rd Battalion was billeted in various houses and other buildings within the town. This was during the first few days of April 1918, however the stay at Pradelles was brief as the German Army had commenced a major offensive in the theatre of war in anticipation of America joining in the hostilities. Accordingly, the 23rd Battalion was soon preparing for its role in the impending battle.
On the evening of the 9th May 1918, the troops were moved into a reserve position on the southern bank of the river Ancre at Mericourt, while the Transport Unit remained at Franvillers. The Germans were bombing the area with Gas and HE (high explosive) bombs and on this night of the 9th, “two casualties were suffered by A Coy”. As the next day, the 10th May, there were no casualties, “despite heavy bombardment at Mericourt”, it would appear that Alfred was one of those two casualties the night before. He had sustained shrapnel wounds to the abdomen as well as to his right arm, however it was his abdominal wounds which were the more serious. He survived for a brief period of time, before dying the next day on the 10th May 1918.