LEWSEY, Alfred Henry
| Service Number: | S52651 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 May 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Signalman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Hawker, South Australia, 21 January 1887 |
| Home Town: | Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Lineman, PMG Department |
| Died: | Christies Beach, South Australia, 12 February 1977, aged 90 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Cremated |
| Memorials: | Tailem Bend and District Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 25 May 1942: | Involvement Signalman, S52651 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 May 1942: | Enlisted Tailem Bend, SA | |
| 25 May 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, S52651 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Signalman Alfred Henry Lewsey
Service Number S52651 – 4th Lines of Communication Signals, Citizen Military Forces
Born: 21 January 1887, Hawker, South Australia
Enlisted: 25 May 1942 at Tailem Bend, SA
Rank: Signalman
Trade/Occupation: Lineman, PMG Department
Religion: Church of England
Next of Kin: Helen Eliza Lewsey (wife), Tailem Bend
Home Town: Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge District, South Australia
Discharged: 17 May 1947
Cremated: Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide – 15 February 1977
Enlistment and Medical Examination
On 25 May 1942, at the age of 55, Alfred Henry Lewsey volunteered for service in the Citizen Military Forces.He was medically classified Class B (“noted age”) at the time of enlistment but accepted for home-service duties.
His oath of enlistment was witnessed at Tailem Bend by Captain A. C. Jones, confirming his commitment to “serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Citizen Military Forces for the duration of the present time of war.”
Service and Duties
Lewsey was posted to the 4th Lines of Communication Signals unit of the Australian Army.
With his civilian background as a Lineman in the Postmaster-General’s Department, he was ideally suited to military communications work—installing and maintaining telephone and telegraph lines essential for coordination across southern Australia’s defence network.
On 1 June 1942, he was taken on strength and formally classified as Signalman.
His service was primarily within Area 102 (South Australia), performing communications and maintenance duties vital to home-front defence.
A pay ledger records his continuous participation in Home Training between 1 July 1943 and 31 December 1943, completing 17½ days of training at a daily rate of 1 shilling per day.
Medical and Transfer Notes
On 2 October 1943, Alfred was re-graded Medical Class B (Constitutional), a classification acknowledging age-related limitations but still permitting continued part-time or reserve service.
He remained attached to his unit until 19 April 1945, when he was transferred to the Reserve of the Citizen Military Forces, marking the conclusion of his active duty.
Discharge and Post-Service Life
A Certificate of Discharge (No. 6146) was issued on 17 May 1947, received by the South Australian Echelon & Records Office on 19 May 1947.
His official service concluded with full credit for loyal home-service contribution through the final years of the war.
Following discharge, Lewsey resumed civilian life in South Australia.
He and his wife Helen Eliza continued to live in Tailem Bend before later moving to the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Helen passed away in 1952; Alfred lived until 12 February 1977, aged 90, and was cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery on 15 February 1977.
Commemoration
Service: Australian Army – Citizen Military Forces
Unit: 4th Lines of Communication Signals (PMG Section)
Rank: Signalman
Service Number: S52651
Enlisted: 25 May 1942, Tailem Bend, SA
Discharged: 17 May 1947
Memorial: Tailem Bend and District Honour Roll
Record Reference: NAA Series B884, Item S52651
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 25/10/2025
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