CRONK, Albert Ernest
| Service Numbers: | 3254, Q303734 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 September 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15 Garrison Battalion (QLD) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, 28 September 1890 |
| Home Town: | Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Brisbane, Queensland, 22 March 1963, aged 72 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Beaudesert War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3254, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3254, 47th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3254, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Sydney | |
| 31 Jan 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3254, 48th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 25 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q303734 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Private, Q303734, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA), Gaythorne, Queensland | |
| 26 Jul 1940: | Involvement Private, Q303734, 15 Garrison Battalion (QLD) , Homeland Defence - Militia and non deployed forces | |
| 6 Mar 1941: | Discharged Private, Q303734, 15 Garrison Battalion (QLD) |
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"DISTRICT COURT-MARTIAL. Deserter Sentenced.
Private Albert Ernest Cronk, 11th Depot Battalion, court-martialled on a charge that he deserted, was sentenced to undergo detention for 48 days, and to be put under stoppages amounting to £1 5s. The sentence was mitigated so that, if the accused embarks for active service before expiration of the sentence, sentence shall cease on day of embarkation." - from the Brisbane Telegraph 14 Dec 1916 (nla.gov.au)
"Slashed Brother. WORDS ABOUT WOMAN
Taking the case from the jury, Judge Brennan last week, in Brisbane Criminal Court, allowed Albert Ernest Cronk to plead guilty to a charge of common assault on his brother,
Frederick, whom he had slashed with a razor in Anzac Park on the night of November 29. Cronk earlier had been charged with grievous bodily harm, and in evidence the name of a woman, Jean Thompson, cropped up freely.
"GOING WITH HER"
Albert Cronk was not represented in court by counsel, and did not endeavor to cross-examine witnesses, but from the dock declared, "I had a black-out at the time." Hard of hearing, and speaking in a low voice, Cronk, a 59-year-old gardener, seemed puzzled throughout the proceedings, and he remained marooned in the dock, even after His Honor had finally dealt with him by sentencing him to 12 months' imprisonment, and suspending the sentence on a bond. Charge against Cronk was that on November 29, 1948, he did grievous bodily harm to Frederick Cronk.
USED RAZOR
Det. John Bateman gave evidence that he told accused his brother had complained that, when sitting beside him in Anzac Park, Albert had made some reference to a woman named Jean Thompson, and had then struck him with a blade razor. Accused replied, "I gave him a bit of a nick," according to Bateman, and went on to say that he had slashed
his brother because he was going out with "Jean." When witness told him that Frederick had said he did not know the woman, Albert replied, "I think he does," and added that Frederick was going out with her. Dr. Lefteri Comino gave evidence of inserting 11 stitches in a wound on the side of Frederick Cronk's face. Frederick Cronk, City Council laborer, of Wharf-street, city, alleged he was slashed by his brother with a razor in Anzac Square. He denied knowing a woman named Jean Thompson, mentioned by his brother, but said he went out with a woman occasionally. His Honor: Does your brother go out with her? — I wouldn't know. He had five girls, witness told his honor.
"BREAD KNIFE"
Albert Cronk, from the dock, said that the only way he found out about Jean Thompson was that she had a room in the same house as his brother (this, however, was denied by
Frederick Cronk). His Honor (to Albert): How many sweethearts have you got now? — I am too old for that. His Honor: Why do you carry a razor? — That is my bread knife, I always carry it. His Honor: It's a meat knife now — You took it out and carved up your brother. Allowing Cronk to plead guilty to a charge of common assault, His Honor said, "Will
you make me a promise you will not carry that bread knife about? You might use it as a meat knife again." Cronk was then sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, the sentence to be suspended on his entering into a bond of £10 to be of good behavior for the period of the sentence. Mr. C. J. Cosgrove prosecuted." - from the Brisbane Truth 06 Mar 1949 (nla.gov.au)